SDSU String Academy
Due to the ongoing respiratory illnesses a combination of in person and virtual lessons are available. All students and families must wear appropriate masks at all times while on campus.
The SDSU String Academy is a pre-college program designed to give students ages 6 - 18 conservatory level instruction. The program began in January 2013 and currently offers instruction on violin, viola, cello and double bass. The goal of the String Academy is to teach students an appreciation of classical music, teamwork, and discipline through individual and group instruction on their instruments. Each String Academy Student receives the following:
- Weekly group class
- Weekly 30 minute private lesson with master teacher
- Optional weekly 30 minute helper lesson with student teacher
- Group and Solo Recitals
Each class is limited to ten students to keep a small student-faculty ratio. Depending on enrollment there may be multiple classes of each instrument.
SPRING SEMESTER 2023 (January 3 through June 5, 2023)
Once-a-year $35 Registration fee due the week of classes with first payment (only once a year) There will be a $25 late fee assessed to all late payments.
All string academy lessons include a private and a weekly group class
30-minute lesson: full payment of $1,166, or 6 installments of $195 each.
45-minute lesson: full payment of $1,793, or 6 installments of $299 each.
60-minute lesson: full payment of $2,244, or 6 installments of $374 each.
*Installment Due Dates: January 5, February 5, March 5, April 5, May 5, June 5.
Extra lessons in preparation for competitions and/or concerts can be scheduled at the discretion of each teacher at the cost of $82 per each hourly extra lesson (or $41 for a half-hourly lesson).
Payment
Once you have registered online you can contact CMS Director Carina Voly to discuss the process for your payment. After the confirmation of your amount due you can make payments by credit/debit card with the following link: Community Music School Tuition Payment
Follow this PDF Tutorial if you need assistance with the payment form.
A $25 late fee will be assessed on all past-due payments
Parental Involvement
Parental involvement is an important aspect of the String Academy. Parents attend both group classes and individual lessons, taking notes so that they can help their child to practice at home. This participation is critical to the success of child learning the instrument - more so than any other factor. Some parents have so much fun learning about the instrument that they themselves elect to learn an instrument at the same time as their child.
Group Class
The group class is the heart of the program. It serves as a chance for students to play through the repertoire they are learning with their classmates, and to get comfortable performing works by themselves in front of their peers from day one. Here students also learn the basics of musicianship, including theory, ear training, rhythm, music history and more. Most importantly, in the group class students experience the joy of making music with their peers.
Private Lessons
The weekly private lesson is taught by the master teacher on the instrument. Our master teachers hold advanced degrees from top music schools in the country and are experts at setting up beginning students so that they can play in tune, in rhythm, and with a beautiful sound in a very short time. In these lessons, the students will learn the basics of technique including correct posture, bowing and fingering, and musicality.
Helper Lessons
Second year students have the option of a once a week helper lesson with a Student Teacher. We will try to arrange these helper lessons with Student Teachers that are SDSU music students majoring in either performance or music education. These lessons are a chance for String Academy students that need extra help to get it, or for those enthusiastic students to get even more one-on-one instruction.