UNC String Project
Have you ever thought about playing a string instrument? Do you like the sound of beautiful, smooth strings playing? Or maybe you like when strings are fast and crisp and exciting? If so, you’re in the right place!
We launched the UNC String Project in the Fall of 2017. This community-partnership program provides young students an opportunity to learn violin, viola, cello, or double bass. We give students an accessible way to discover their passion for strings and develop their talents through engaging, hands-on learning. And we’re training tomorrow’s string educators in the process.
The UNC String Project is a member of the National String Project Consortium.
Classes & Costs Find Your Instrument Hear from Our Students
For College Students Supporting Us Learn more about Strings at UNC
More About Us
What We Do
- Give students a chance to learn and perform violin, viola, cello and double bass
- Provide a variety of learning experiences to students as young as 4th grade, like weekly rehearsals and eventually private lessons
- Make music of all genres and styles with friends in string ensembles
- Have a great time!
Why join String Project?
- Learn responsibility and teamwork while you make positive relationships.
- Grow in mental and physical abilities while you learn musical skills on your instrument.
- Playing an instrument might make you better in school subjects like language and math!
See what a lesson is like…
Classes & Costs
Students in 4th and 5th grade join our beginner Largo Ensemble. And students who have been playing for a few years are encouraged to join our more advanced ensembles. Contact Johanna to discuss which ensemble is best for your ability level. As our program grows, we will continue to add levels of instruction. In our efforts to support local school orchestra programs, if a student attends a school that offers orchestra, they must enroll in orchestra in order to continue with String Project.
Largo Ensemble
Our ensemble for beginners. Students learn to play their instruments all together in one large ensemble. Multiple UNC students are Teacher Assistants, helping each young student to succeed. This class is primarily 4th and 5th grade students, but students in other grades are welcome to join if they are interested. Largo Ensemble rehearses from 5:30-6:30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays in Frasier Hall on UNC’s campus.
Stretto Ensemble
Our ensemble for students with a year or more of experience. Students meet from 5:30-7pm on Wednesdays in Frasier Hall on UNC’s campus. Students will also receive a weekly private lesson for 30 minutes. That lesson will be scheduled between student and teacher on any day that works well. UNC students are large ensemble assistants, small ensemble coaches and private lesson teachers.
Largo participation fee: $100 per semester ($200 per school year) – covers weekly ensemble rehearsal
Stretto participation fee: $125 per semester ($250 per school year) – covers weekly ensemble rehearsal and weekly small group lesson
Thanks to the generosity of the Rodarte Community Center, Rodarte students will not be charged a participation fee!
No student will be turned away because of financial need. There is a place in the registration form to request a need-based scholarship.
Students are encouraged to rent their own instruments from a local music store. Please see the Handbook for additional instrument guidelines. UNC has a limited inventory of instruments available for students to borrow. Please contact us for information on borrowing an instrument from UNC.
Find the Perfect Instrument to Play
For College Students
String Project’s mission is equal parts serving K-12 students and college students. It is our intention that UNC string music education majors will enter the field better prepared and more confident as a result of their time teaching with String Project. All string music education majors will be invited to teach with String Project. All positions are paid and salaries vary by job responsibility and experience level. Applications will be sent out prior to each semester. You can start right away—your first semester on campus, you can earn a paycheck for teaching strings! Each commitment is a semester long, but we certainly hope you will decide to work with us for the full school year. Opportunities include teaching private lessons, small groups (2-3 students), and being an ensemble assistant.
“String Project has been an amazing experience for me! It has given me practical experience in classroom management, articulating my thoughts to students, and planning lessons. All of these experiences are invaluable for preparing to be a teacher. I am very thankful for what String Project is accomplishing for me and the community.” —Annette Miller, in her 3rd semester teaching with String Project.
Hear from Our Students
Supporting Us
Your generosity makes the UNC String Project possible. Donor support ensures that all students can participate in String Project, regardless of financial need. If you are interested in sponsoring a student, if your business has charitable giving opportunities, or if you have an instrument that could be donated to our inventory, please contact us. We are incredibly grateful for the people and organizations who have already pledged support for the UNC String Project. Thank you!
- Marilyn Rauland Kidder Foundation for a generous donation to cover expenses as needed.
- Multi-year scholarship donations for students with financial need by Patsy Zick, Ft. Collins Breakfast Rotary Club and anonymous donors
- Dr. Jim Fitz for restoring three violins and three cellos and coordinating their donation to us in 2019 – 2020.
- Music Depot of Greeley for providing instruments at a very reasonable price. Special thanks to Mark Payne
- Ross Double Bass for repairing our basses and donating quite a bit of the work. Special thanks to Bob Ross.
- Boomer Music of Fort Collins for repairing our instruments at very reasonable prices. Special thanks to Brad.
- The National String Project Consortium (NSPC) Emerging Site Grant, funded by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. This grant was awarded in 2019 and will continue on a diminishing scale for five years, with the sole purpose of funding student teacher salaries.
- The Community Foundation of Greeley and Weld County, Littler Youth Fund Grant. This grant was used in 2018 to purchase instrument accessories, musical supplies, and instruments.
- The Community Foundation of Greeley and Weld County, Arts Alive!. The Arts Alive! grant was used in 2017 to purchase instrument accessories, musical supplies, and instruments.
- The University of Northern Colorado Faculty Research and Publication Board New Project Program. This NPP grant was used in 2017 to purchase instruments for use by students with financial need.
The UNC School of Music for providing the Director of String Project, as well as financial support. Special thanks to Cristina Goletti (Dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts), Carissa Reddick (Director of the School of Music), and Erik Applegate (Associate Director of the School of Music).
Contact Us
Johanna Campos Ballesteros
String Project Director
- johanna.camposballesteros@unco.edu
- Frasier Hall, UNC Campus