South Georgia String Project, Youth Orchestra Perform April 29

VALDOSTA — The South Georgia String Project, a joint venture of the Valdosta State University Department of Music and the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, will present its end-of-season concert at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 29, in Whitehead Auditorium. Admission is free of charge, and the public is encouraged to attend.

Monday’s event is an opportunity for the students to showcase their hard work and dedication and the skills they have mastered since classes started in mid-September.

Led by Lauren Burns, director and master teacher, the South Georgia String Project provides “an after-school music program where students can easily access low-cost stringed instrument instruction” and “a valuable, mentored teaching experience for music students at Valdosta State University.”

The South Georgia String Project offers technique classes, private lessons, and group classes. Performances are held several times a year both on campus and out in the community.

According to its website at www.valdosta.edu/sgsp, “The South Georgia String Project encourages the enjoyment of music and self-expression through the study of a musical instrument and actively seeks to provide opportunities for student leadership, parental participation, and involvement in the greater community.” It was started in 1993 and originally offered on location at area public schools and taught by VSU professors.

The American String Teacher Association named the South Georgia String Project the 2011 National String Project of the Year.

Many South Georgia String Project students continue their stringed instrument studies in college. Some have performed with the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra.

Whitehead Auditorium is located on the first floor of the VSU Fine Arts Building, at the intersection of Oak Street and Brookwood Drive.

Contact Lauren Burns at sgsp@valdostasymphony.org or visit www.valdosta.edu/sgsp to learn more about the South Georgia String Project.

On the Web:

www.stringprojects.org

www.valdosta.edu/sgsp