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Berkeley County orchestra reaches begins 16th year

By Staff | Jul 26, 2011

MARTINSBURG – The Berkeley County Orchestra Program has added an additional string teacher to provide string education in three high schools, five middle schools and six intermediate schools.

At this time students from fourth grade and up are invited to sign up for free violin, viola, cello and bass classes. In the intermediate schools, string classes are taught twice a week before, after or during the school day. In the middle schools string class is a choice and an integrated subject during the school day. High school students can receive one fine arts credit for taking the daily string class. Any ability level from beginner to advanced will be taught at all grades.

The program will have a rental and informational meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria of Musselman Middle School, Inwood. Another rental meeting for the northern part of Berkeley County will be announced later.

All newly enrolled string students from any intermediate, middle or high school must attend a rental meeting. Anyone else who is interested in joining the orchestra program is also welcome. A limited number of school-owned instruments are available free of charge.

Berkeley County student orchestras have again placed first in the WV Orchestra Festival in Buckhannon in May. This coming school year, due to the large number of students involved, there will be five separate orchestras established, one at each middle school which will include the fifth graders of the neighboring intermediate schools. Orchestra practice will be one afternoon directly after school. Day and time will be announced by the string teachers. Auditions are required for strings only during the first two Tuesdays after school starts. The high school orchestra is in need of wind and brass musicians and high school band members are urged and invited to join the orchestra. Any adult musicians affiliated with the school system are invited to join also.

To keep the orchestra program affordable for all students, the Berkeley County orchestra program is asking for donations of string instruments.

Instruments can be in any condition and will be evaluated and repaired to make them available to students.

Please bring donations to the Board of Education on 401 S. Queen St. in Martinsburg or any school office in Berkeley County.

For more information about enrolling in the string program or to report the drop off of an instrument, please call Eva Price at 304-263-2916 or email evaprice@frontier.com.