Celebrate your 6th – 9th grade string players by participating in the MSO Youth Strings program! Designed in collaboration with public school programs to provide professional development for educators, access to high caliber learning experiences for 6th – 9th grade string students, and student retention in music programs at these grade levels.
Through a series of rehearsals both specific to participating counties and unified as a final group, students and their teachers will practice under respected and seasoned educations acting as Guest Conductors as well as with the guidance of MSO musicians. In this way, the MSO is providing professional development to participating teachers so that they may pass on appropriate techniques to their students for years to come. Participating teachers will have an option to receive MSDE credits for certification renewal.
The MSO Youth Strings was founded on the principle that excellence exists at every ability level. Audition-based ensembles tend to serve students who are already on the top, so we have determined that the criteria for student participation be based upon teacher recommendation. Our goal is to help more children achieve their highest potential, so teachers have been encouraged to recommended accomplished students who may or may not have support to study privately, financial stability to participate in enrichment opportunities and/or parental guidance to encourage at home practice.
It is our hope that MSO musicians will meet students where they are while maintaining a high standard of musical excellence, seeing the students’ potential and pushing them beyond what they think they can achieve. Here at the MSO we believe that informed instructional practices and high-level enrichment directly impact student retention in middle school programs.
We hope, that by creating this program, the MSO Youth Strings will grow over the coming years and become a substantial support system for public school music programs.
Inclusive of Frederick and Washington County students and teachers, the program celebrated its inaugural year in 2024 to great success.
Registration forms for the spring 2025 MSO Youth Strings program have been distributed to our partners in the Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) and Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS). If you are interested in participating, we recommend you inquire with your middle or high school strings teacher.
