WKU Begins Pre-College String Development Music Program
January 20, 2004
Bowling Green, Ky. - Area young people will benefit from a new musical collaboration at Western Kentucky University.
The Music Department and the WKU Division of Extended Learning and Outreach (DELO) have launched the Pre-College String Development Program to offer high quality instruction in orchestral stringed instruments in a nurturing environment.
Three WKU music faculty members will be teaching violin/viola, cello and double bass. The target audience for the program is students between 2 and 18 years old.
"The program was developed as a recruitment tool for musically talented young men and women, as a service to the community and as an opportunity to bring a professional-in-residence to the University as an instructor," said Sharon Woodward, director of Continuing Education. "And, although most students in the program play violin, we also wanted to develop a program that would give interested students the opportunity to learn cello or double bass."
As a professional-in-residence, Sarah Mitchell will teach violin/viola to pre-kindergarten through high school students. Mitchell, who received her bachelor's degree at WKU and master's from the University of Memphis, is a member of the Bowling Green Western Symphony Orchestra and the WKU Faculty String Ensemble.
The cello instructor is Dongdong Zhang, who received a bachelor's degree from Xinghai Conservatory of Music in China and master's degree from University of South Carolina. Zhang, a candidate for a doctorate from Florida State University, performs with the Bowling Green Western Symphony Orchestra, WKU Faculty String Ensemble and the Nashville Symphony.
Dr. William Scott, the Baker Professor of Music at WKU, is the double bass instructor. Dr. Scott has a bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin-Superior, master's from University of Wisconsin and doctorate from University of South Carolina. He also is the conductor of the Bowling Green Western Symphony Orchestra.
Lessons are conducted in the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center, third floor. Students also will have an opportunity to participate in recitals and concerts. Tuition for the lessons range from $320 to $680 per semester.
DELO is coordinating registration for the program while the Music Department is providing the instructors and the classroom facilities.
As an extension of the Pre-College String Development Program, the University plans to offer residential music camps beginning this summer.
For more information, contact Sarah Mitchell at (270) 745-5939, Dr. William Scott at (270) 745-6521 or visit http://www.wku.edu/continuinged/stringprogram.html
More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
