Texas Tech University String Project

Purpose

The Texas Tech University String Project was founded in January 2001 with two purposes. One, to provide low cost beginning string instruction to children in the Lubbock area and two, to provide intensive, guided teaching experience to undergraduate and graduate music students who plan to make string education a part of their career.

The TTU String Project takes a laboratory school approach for elementary children (typically entering the 4th grade) interested in playing one of the five orchestral instruments – violin, viola, cello, double bass and harp. Children attend group classes twice each week at the School of Music on the Texas Tech campus and receive one or three private lessons per semester. Additionally, the TTU String Project began offering Adult String Instrument Classes in Spring 2017.

Instruction is provided by a team of undergraduate and graduate music majors and by master teachers who supervise the entire curriculum. Dr. Blair Williams, assistant professor of string music education, serves as the director of the program. Professor Clara Zahler, professor of practice at Texas Tech University, serves as master teacher. Professor Rachel Mazzucco, instructor of harp, serves as harp master teacher.

Support

Our program supports the mission of the Texas Tech University School of Music and Texas Tech University by offering opportunities for string teacher-training and accessibility to string music education for Lubbock-area youth.

The Texas Tech University String Project is a proud member of the National String Project Consortium (NSPC), a coalition of college and university string project programs across the United States. The NSPC is dedicated to increasing the number of school-aged children learning to play stringed instruments and addressing the great need of continuing the education of string teachers in teacher-training institutions across the country.

The Texas Tech University String Project faculty and staff are avid supporters of all school orchestra programs. Students who graduate from the TTUSP are strongly encouraged to join their school orchestra programs in 6th grade and to further supplement their string learning in programs like the Suzuki Talent Education of the Lubbock Region and the Youth Orchestras of Lubbock.

 

Contact

String Project classes are held in the Texas Tech University School of Music, located at 2624 18th Street, at the intersection of 18th Street and Boston Avenue.

Project Director:
Rachel Mazzucco
rachel.mazzucco@ttu.edu

 

Visit the TTU String Project web site at
https://musicstringproject.wixsite.com/texastech

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