Twice a week, third graders from around the Lincoln area make their way into the band classroom at Park Middle School for a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s an activity known as the UNL/LPS String Project, a joint effort between the Glenn Korff School of Music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Lincoln Public Schools.
The UNL/LPS String Project began as the UNL String Project in 2000 but came to an end in the Spring of 2006. But over time, it was discussed to bring the project back.
“My string colleagues and I had spoken about this over the years and how successful the program was from 2000-2006,” Founding Director of the UNL/LPS String Project Dr. Karen Becker (tenured Professor of Cello in the Glenn Korff School of Music) said. “A number of LPS string teachers had spoken to me over the years about the positive impact the UNL String Project had on the string programs in the schools. After all, students who were in the String Project, once they were old enough, were required to be in their school orchestra if they were going to be a part of our program. So this was a great benefit to LPS and to UNL as well as our Music Education string students.
“So, with the enthusiastic support of LPS Music Supervisor Lance Nielson, the GKSOM director, John Richmond, my string colleagues, and the music education faculty, we decided it was time to get the ball rolling and re-launch the program.”
There are currently 58 students in the UNL/LPS String Project.
“These students are all in third grade and will hopefully continue playing and begin playing in their school orchestras next fall,” Becker said. “In August, we’ll begin recruiting another class of third graders, and we hope that all students currently enrolled will continue with String Project as well.”
The classes are taught by undergraduate string students at the Glenn Korff School of Music, who are also pursing degrees in music education. The UNL students include: Stephen Cantarero, Addie Hotchkiss, Madeline Long, Alex Rogers, Melanie Sigel and Leah Waldvogel. The UNL student teachers are supervised by Master Teacher Mike Swartz, a retired LPS string specialist.
“I enjoy watching our Undergraduate Teachers work with the students, knowing they are receiving even more hands-on experience than they are already receiving in the high quality music education program in the GKSOM,” Becker said. “And the third graders seem to be having a wonderful time learning from the Undergraduate Teachers as well as our highly qualified and experienced Master Teacher, Mike Swartz. This is a unique experience for everyone involved. And it’s good to know we are part of a larger organization—the National String Project Consortium, which is affiliated with the American String Teachers Association. UNL is one of more than 40 String Projects throughout the United States.
Becker also had praise for the connection with the Lincoln Public Schools.
“The reason for the name change, to include LPS, is because through the generosity of Park Middle School administration, particularly Associate Principal Beth Cook, the classes are being held at that school,” Becker said. “These are terrific facilities!”
For more info, visit: arts.unl.edu/music/string-project