The School String Orchestra Program of the Etowah Youth Orchestras
Summer Strings Camp
Coming June 10-14, 2024
A Summer String Instrument Camp for students with 1-2 years of playing experience on an orchestral string instrument.
School String Orchestra Program
The Etowah Youth Orchestras’ School String Orchestra Program provides violin, viola, cello and bass instruction in a group setting at schools throughout Etowah County. Instruction is offered in all Etowah County School System schools with 5th and 6th grade classrooms.
Beginning Orchestra is offered at Carlisle, Duck Springs, Gaston, Highland, Hokes Bluff, Ivalee, John S. Jones, Southside, West End and Whitesboro Elementary Schools and Glencoe Middle School. Intermediate Orchestra is offered at Duck Springs, Gaston, Highland, Ivalee and West End Elementary Schools, and at Glencoe, Hokes Bluff, Rainbow and Sardis Middle Schools. Classes meet two days a week, and include instruction both on the string instrument itself, and basic musical instruction in introductory music theory and music history.
Students learn various musical styles, including classical, bluegrass, and even rock and roll. Students perform throughout the year, both in their schools and at a closing Spring Strings Concert at the end of the school year that features the students from all participating schools. Students have the opportunity to perform both as a member of a large ensemble and as a soloist or a member of a small group.
In addition, each year the students in the School String Orchestra Program have the opportunity to attend a private open rehearsal with the Gadsden Symphony Orchestra. The EYO School String Orchestra Program is under the direction of EYO Assistant Conductors Bryce Anderson and Deborah Boos, with EYO Music Director Mike Gagliardo serving as the program’s primary administrator and EYO Administrative Assistant Jade Swinford serving as the program's bursar and registrar.
Financial Aid is available through the Etowah Youth Orchestras for students wishing to participate in this program. In addition, each year the EYO awards scholarships for private instruction and the EYO’s Summer Strings Camp to program participants.