STARTER STRINGS HITS THE STAGE 

Monday, March 14 was an important day for the Oakhill Elementary School fourth graders who participate in EYSO’s Starter Strings program. They performed in their very first concert as part of the school’s Spring Sing Concert.  

The performance was a dream come true for school music teacher Kris Cooper. Last fall when 36 students had just started free, weekly, after-school violin lessons with Artistic Director Matthew Sheppard, Cooper envisioned the students performing on stage in the spring.   

“We are going to let everyone know what these kids can do. We’re going to show this,” said Cooper.

Monday night the enthusiastic students, under the direction of Sheppard and Primo Conductor Tracy Dullea, performed before an appreciative packed house of parents and students. Their performance of basic violin exercises and Mary Had a Little Lamb received thunderous applause. 

“These students had never touched a violin before the fall, and now they know the basics. I am hopeful that this program will open new doors for them,” said Cooper.

Starter Strings is an EYSO initiative that eliminates some of the traditional barriers of classical music education. In addition to being tuition free, all students received access to instruments free of charge thanks to William Harris Lee & Company.