WKU Strings Program Adds Pre-Twinkle Violin Course

September 11, 2007

Bowling Green, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University Pre-College String Development Program is offering a pre-twinkle violin course for youngsters ages 3 to 5.

The course will focus on the beginning stages of learning to play the violin by using clap rhythms, making bow holds, learning rest and playing positions and “bow” rhythms using hands and arms. Students will become familiar with the twinkle rhythms and book one pieces through listening skills using a variety of games and exercises in a warm and supportive environment.

Thirty-minute sessions run from Oct. 9 through Dec. 5 at the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center on the campus of WKU. Participants may choose class on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. or Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. Parental participation is required at all sessions. 

Pre-twinkle classes will be taught by Dr. Anna Cromwell, who has extensive experience in both teaching and performing on the violin and viola. The cost is $135 for the nine-week session. Class spaces are limited, so early registration is recommended. 

In addition, strings students in books three to five may attend Celtic Fiddle Workshops on Sept. 18 or Oct. 2, and students in books one or two may attend a Bluegrass Fiddle Workshop on Oct. 30. Workshops will be taught by Kimberly Barnes, an adjunct instructor of Celtic fiddle at Belmont University. The cost is $20 per workshop.

WKU’s Music Department and the Division of Extended Learning and Outreach (DELO) developed the Pre-College String Development Program in 2003 to offer high quality instruction in orchestral stringed instruments in a nurturing environment.

For information and to download a registration form, visit the Continuing Education website at www.wku.edu/ce. You also may call the Continuing Education office at (270) 745-1912 to request a registration form by mail or fax.
               
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Stacey Biggs at (270) 745-1926.