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Organization
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Background
Goals
Mission
The Need
Progress to Date
Success of the NSPC String Projects
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Background
The National String Project Consortium (NSPC) is a coalition of String Project sites based at colleges and universities across the United States. The NSPC is dedicated to increasing the number of children playing stringed instruments, and addressing the critical shortage of string teachers in the US. The NSPC is affiliated with businesses, foundations, professional music organizations, and individuals who support these goals.
The NSPC supports the creation and growth of String Projects at universities across the country. These String Projects provide practical hands-on training for undergraduate string education majors during their college years, and give children the opportunity to study a stringed instrument.
The Consortium was originally formed in 1998 under the auspices of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). It is now an independent non-profit organization working together with ASTA and other music organizations to serve string education and string development across the United States.
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Goals
• Involving more children of public school age in learning to play stringed instruments
• Addressing the string teacher shortage
• Increasing the number of String Projects around the country
• Supporting these String Projects with national fundraising and grant writing
• Increasing national awareness for String Projects
• Improving communication among String Project sites and Directors.
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Mission
• Providing an opportunity for children who live in school districts where string programs do not exist to learn to play a stringed instrument.
• Preparing children in the lower grades for placement in existing public school string and orchestra programs.
• Creating programs that give undergraduate and graduate music students hands-on, supervised experience in teaching, administration, and leadership as they pursue their degrees
• Providing experienced entry-level teachers for string programs.
• Facilitating the growth and development of string and orchestra programs in the public schools.
• Providing a safe environment for children and teachers involved in string education.
• Supporting music-making opportunities in an effort to combat school string program attrition and foster program growth.
• Providing by example a model for string program development on local, state and national levels.
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The Need
A 2002 ASTA survey revealed that 24% of string jobs were not filled in the year 2000; in 2001 this had increased to 43%, and in 2002 47% of schools had string positions open due to a shortage of string teachers. The problem is clearly getting worse. In a recent American String Teachers Journal article 'Wanted Nationwide: Qualified String Teachers' Mary Wagner, a string specialist in the Fairfax, Virginia public schools and the current ASTA President, wrote in 2002 ('Wanted Nationwide: Qualified String Teachers', Glaesel String Notes) that 'States such as Arizona, Texas, and Virginia could not fill the positions they had open this past year by the first day of school.' The population of string teachers is aging, and the number of new string education graduates does not meet current demands. This national problem has greatly limited the number of children who are able to learn to play stringed instruments.
The NSPC is attempting to address this shortage of qualified string teachers with a plan that establishes teacher-training programs at universities throughout the country. Since it is the responsibility of one generation to pass on our culture and musical heritage to the next, the NSPC is working to insure the future of string players by increasing the number of young people who will be playing stringed instruments and experiencing the joys of music-making. The NSPC is also working to insure that there are sufficient numbers of teachers, in communities all over the country, who will be able to teach these children the art and technique of playing stringed instruments.
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Progress to Date
Since its inception the NSPC has been responsible for the stringed instrument education of well over 7,000 children of public school age in 32 sites around the United States. The NSPC's teacher training program has reached over 400 String Music Education students in the sponsoring colleges and universities, and assisted with the education of over 200 new teachers public school teachers in the past five years.
The NSPC is actively involved in seeking grants and gifts to assist the current String Project sites in continuing to provide high quality education and training, and also help provide start up assistance to those institutions seeking to create new sites. Since 1999, the NSPC has received grants totaling about $2.2 million from FIPSE (US Department of Education), the NEA, Knight Foundation, Psaras Foundation, Heller Foundation, D’Addario Foundation, NABIM, NAMM, and from Strings Magazine.
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Success of the NSPC String Projects
One sign of the success of the NSPC is that 81% of the String Projects in the NSPC had success in increasing the number of music education majors at their school.
Another sign of the success of the NSPC is the growth in the total number of students and teachers involved in these String Projects over the years. The figures below show the overall numbers of students in NSPC programs:
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|
| 1999-2000 | 500 | | 2000-2001 | 713 | | 2001-2001 | 1302 | | 2002-2003 | 1467 | | 2003-2004 | 1797 | | 2004-2005 | 1949 | | 2005-2006 | 2094 |
Similarly, the number of teachers (undergraduates teaching through the programs) has grown:
| Year | Number of Teachers (Undergrads) |
|---|
| 1999-2000 | 43 | | 2000-2001 | 80 | | 2001-2001 | 139 | | 2002-2003 | 149 | | 2003-2004 | 181 | | 2004-2005 | 206 | | 2005-2006 | 232 |
String Projects have already had an effect on the local communities, students and teachers. Here are a few examples from some of the sites, from a survey in December 2006:
The most significant effect is that a large suburban school district has added a string program to their public school offerings because of the UTSA String Project's presence in the area. After two years of operations with those students coming to UTSA for instruction, they have recently begun their own string program with our support.
University of Texas at San Antonio String Project
As many of our first String Project teachers are now student teaching or in their first and second year as full-time teachers, it is obvious the head start and the confidence that their String Project experience has made. They are excited to be teaching, and they comment that their first years are made much easier because of String Project experiences. For example, one said, 'My first concert was much less scary because I had learned in the String Project how to organize a performance.'
Arizona State University String Project
The UMass Lowell String Project is a centerpiece of the Greater Lowell Community. The students of the String Project are continuing to gain visibility in the community. Besides their concerts twice a year on campus, this year they have also performed for United Way of Merrimack Valley Annual Evening of Recognition, this past March in Haverhill. Students were invited guests and performers at the First Annual Lowell Public Schools Community Festival, March 2006 at Lowell High School - a showcase event for all of the elementary and middle schools.
University of Massachusetts Lowell String Project
Comments from parents have ranged from 'this is the best thing that has happened to my son since he started school,' to 'I want to support your program by paying the cost of renting the concert hall so you don't have to perform in the union ballroom any more.' We have a group of dedicated parents who, in some cases, have had a continuous line of children in the Project since it began.
Weber State University String Project
From a parent of one of the children in the program: “Your passion for music has been passed along to countless young learners and that fire you've started in them has become a passion too. One of the properties of fire is that it spreads; thanks to your blaze of talent, you've ignited a spark in all of these young people here. As they learn more about the intricacies of music, their sparks of enthusiasm will burn like yours. We know that there are times when these youngsters feel like tossing their instruments into the fire, but we'll encourage them to use that flare-up as fuel for determination, thereby emulating your own determination that has touched the lives of us all. For your devotion to heating the musical minds of our children, we are eternally grateful - and we thank God, for you have touched our lives when you lifted your baton for our kids. Our own heart fire has burned brighter because of it.'
Point Loma String Project
From a letter to the Director, CSU String Project: “I have been a member of String Project for three years. I am grateful for the opportunity of this program that has taught me how to play violin because I would not have been able to learn an instrument until middle school if I had not heard about String Project. I like my instructors a lot, and I have learned so much… When I am a grown up I will look back and always remember how Strings Project was the beginning of my learning to enjoy playing and performing with an instrument. I thank the String Project for all that I have learned.
California State University String Project, Sacramento
From letter from a young teacher to the Director, Lawrence String Project: “I have been realizing more and more the last few weeks how invaluable the String Project experience has been for me. I doubt I would have even been offered this job had I not had that experience. While I was interviewing, I came to the realization that telling interviewers that I had taught for the String Project didn't really mean anything to them - most had never heard of it. But I also realized that having the experience gave me the ability to answer very confidently to questions that I probably would not have even considered had it not been for the String Project. When a principal asked me how I would control a group of 50 5th graders in a rehearsal, I could answer with what I had actually done, rather than just an idea. When asked about programming repertoire for various grade levels, I actually had experiences to draw back on. Having done these things with the String Project, I felt like I actually KNEW the answers, as opposed to simply having an idea.... On Friday, my beginners played for the first time. Without my String Project experience, I would have probably been at a loss for what to do, or at the very least extremely overwhelmed. But I felt completely at home with my classes of 14 and 16, a mixture of violins, violas, cellos and a bass. If you would have told me a year ago that if the principal walked into my classroom during my first week of teaching I wouldn't even bat an eyelash, I never would have believed you. But that is exactly what happened - and she even joined in our activity!
Lawrence University String Project
One of the most memorable stories in our short history is about a 9-year-old student from Boerne, which is a smaller town just past San Antonio's far northwest side. After just one year in the UTSA String Project, the student's mother approached me after our Grand Finale concert in May to relate how much the String Project experience had helped him in all of his subjects. Evidently, before music study, he had concentration problems leading to many school failures. The interesting and stimulating study of the violin in our program simply changed him into an inquisitive and more functional student in the classroom.
University of Texas at San Antonio String Project
From my own perspective, it is just great to watch the faces of these 1st year class children as the lights go up on stage of Hodgson Hall for their 1st concert - a mixture of fear and excitement. Very rewarding.
University of Georgia String Project
The parents involved in this program feel like part of a partnership with the university community in fostering the musical growth of their own children and the professional growth of the young teachers. While we are always sorry to see these young professionals leave the program on graduation- we feel like we have played an important part in not only their learning process- but in the growth of orchestra and string programs in general as these teachers remain very visible nationally and internationally. They are ambassadors for our community and for The University of Texas.
The University of Texas at Austin String Project
One of our young students really struggled to master the violin, but she desperately wanted to play. The String Project teachers remained patient and encouraged her. Her mother sent the following at the end of the year: 'As the parents of a String Project student, we would like to thank you, your students, staff, and colleagues, for sharing the gift of music and more! The kindness, encouragement, and support have made a tremendous difference in our child's life.'
Arizona State University String Project
One parent wrote a letter to the editor to our local newspaper after our last concert stating: “(the) Concert and Chamber Strings played six selections from Fiddler on the Roof and to say it was perfect would be an understatement. These students made an enchanting evening of entertainment even more delightful.” And “these students more than proved themselves as rising string stars in our community.”
South Georgia String Project, Valdosta State University
I have had many parents comment that without the String Project, they would have not been able to afford lessons for their child. Another family that participated in the String Project moved to Germany: 'We really miss the String Project. When my husband retires from the military, we hope to move back to Norman and participate in the Sooner String Project again'. We just had a wonderful Halloween party for our children. One of the parents commented: 'I can see what a tight knit group the students have become. It is nice to see how the children and teachers interact so well together and I look forward to having my beginner student continue with the String Project year after year'.
Sooner String Project, University of Oklahoma
There are few opportunities for children to play stringed instruments in Delaware County, so parents have been bringing in their children at increasingly young ages. One of the most gratifying sights for us has been the way our undergraduates make connections with these youngsters. They are always so patient and kind with their young charges and invent little games and rhymes to help the students develop the proper positions and learn their music. When one young man left to do his student teaching, the mother of two of the young students gave a special party for our undergraduate teacher to express their appreciation.
Ball State String Project
The public school teachers completely support the Project. About fifty percent of the Denton ISD teachers are former string project teachers. Our Project teachers are seen as experienced and are immediately teaching as student teachers rather than spending time observing. We now have 37 undergraduate string education majors, graduating about 5 to 7 teachers a year, all with teaching positions.
University of North Texas String Project
Within the first few weeks of starting our Project our student teachers have made significant strides toward becoming skilled teachers. In addition, there is a new enthusiasm and developing esprit de corps among our string education majors.
University of New Hampshire String Project
As my undergraduates student teach, it is obvious which ones have had extensive experience working with youngsters from the String Project. They make the transition from student to teacher much more quickly and smoothly than the others. They are genuinely engaged with the students in their classes from the start and spend time interacting with them and trying to establish a bond. They are also much more aware of the students in the class as individuals and more responsive to their needs and achievements. Teaching in the String Project is a valuable part of preparing to become a public school teacher.
Ball State String Project
I recently observed one student say to her friend as she arrived 'I'm so glad it's Monday because that means it's violin day!'
ISU String Project
From a current Teacher apprentice:
'My first private student from the String Project presented me with a beautiful homemade bookmark with musical related pictures on it, such as a viola, a music stand and musical notes, which I have hanging up in my apartment and I see everyday. It continuously reminds me of my passion for inspiring students to love music…But the most important thing is making a difference in their lives through my teaching, and seeing the students have fun as they are making music together.”
Point Loma String Project
Several quotes from parents about their child’s involvement:
• ”The SGSP allows her to play music and perform for others and makes her feel good to know that others enjoy the music”
• ”allows her to pursue her dream of playing music and hopefully someday working in the music field”
• ”he makes contacts with kids who have similar interests who come from all different backgrounds and paves the way for new relationships”
• “music makes her feel good about herself and others”
• “For me it is her sense of dedication and accomplishment that just makes me feel proud.
South Georgia String Project, Valdosta State University
Every few years I am invited to direct a Junior High Music Festival in Laramie that includes orchestra, choir and band. In the years before our String Project began, the orchestra was very rudimentary and was consistently the weakest on the program. Last year I got to conduct again at the festival and, although the choir and band are strong in our community, the orchestra was the strongest ensemble at the festival. The string students were so proud of their accomplishment and proud to be members of a good orchestra rather than a third-class musical citizen.
University of Wyoming String Project
A nine-year-old male minority student was hit by a truck with hip, leg, and left arm broken asked his first question after surgery. Does this mean I cannot play my violin?
University of North Texas String Project
Several of our students who never thought about teaching take pride in what they have accomplished with their young students. One of our undergraduates went on to get her Master's at Columbia University and is now a string teacher in the New York Metropolitan area. Many of our non string students who work in the project have found this experience invaluable in helping them learn about the dynamics of working with students in large groups as well as privately.
UMass Lowell String Project
The teaching experiences are invaluable for the student assistants, as many do more real teaching in the String Project setting than in a student teaching situation.
Texas Tech University String Project
In 2004 the String Project won the university's Exemplary Collaboration Award for collaboration between faculty and students. The String Project is now a regular part of the assembly program schedule at a number of elementary schools. Every single String Project teacher that has graduated from WSU and gone into public school teaching credits the Project with developing their ability to be effective teachers from day one.
Weber State University String Project
The UGA String Project has helped the community in many ways. It has provided on opportunity for both young children to play stringed instruments, and for our undergraduates to have constant classroom experience. It has helped expand the size of all our concert audiences, and it has helped remind the university faculty about the need and importance of outreach and education.
UGA String Project
The University of Texas String Project has had far reaching effects on string education in our city, state and nationally and internationally. Many of the leaders in String Education in the US began their teaching careers in the UT String Project. Thousands of children have benefited from participation in this program that fosters a partnership with the local teachers and school orchestra programs. The teachers in the program make life long friendships and grow professionally, contributing to organizations like ASTA that are dedicated to the growth of string education.
The University of Texas at Austin String Project
The Sooner String Project has had a positive impact on the Oklahoma City metroplex. We have many students participating in our program that do not have access to string education in their schools. Many parents comment that they really appreciate receiving quality instruction from college students for an affordable price. The college students are excited about teaching in the String Project. Many of our string education majors have received prominent teaching jobs after graduating from college. Participating in the String Project gave them the necessary tools to succeed in the teaching field.
Sooner String Project, University of Oklahoma
Our program…is filing a need in a community where there is little attention paid to strings and where students who are looking for an early experience have only the String Project to turn to. The Muncie Community schools start beginners only in 6th grade and there is no string instruction at all in any other school corporation. Our biggest efforts now are to get the word out to the greater population of the county, since there are numbers of students who have gained a lot from the program, but it is relatively little known.
Ball State String Project
Our institutional 2005 NASM Visitors' Report specifically cited the following as one of seven summarized strengths: 'The String Project community music program has great potential to provide an important service to the community while promoting the string education program for music students.'
Minnesota State University Moorhead String Project
Wyoming has a very mixed history of string playing and teaching…We now have several University of Wyoming graduates in teaching positions around our state. The impact of their experience is significant within their own programs, but is also impacting the culture in the state as they influence other teachers. Their skill, enthusiasm, confidence and proactive approach are beginning to make a difference!
University of Wyoming String Project
This is definitely helping our music education majors. They have all said they are much better prepared for their student teaching, in that they feel more confident, have a bag of tricks from which to gain ideas, and so forth.
The Hartt String Project
With no elementary program, the String Project gives students a chance to learn a stringed instrument in a format that is otherwise unavailable to them. Students go on to enroll in middle school and youth orchestra programs. Those programs have been strengthened by the early start.
Texas Tech University String Project
Several parents have three or four youngsters participating.
Two mothers of students started violin lessons this year so that they could join their children in performing at their churches. Several graduate students have set up 'string schools' in rural communities. Our holiday program had over six hundred in attendance.
Marywood University String Project
The most important effect is that teachers STAY in teaching. They know what to expect and have realistic expectations when they take their first jobs.
University of South Carolina String Project
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