By Dottie Case
The Strings Program at the Soo Theatre continues to grow. This fall, there will be several new opportunities for string players to participate in group classes and orchestras. Veteran teacher Dottie Case will be teaching a new Adult Beginner Group strings class on Thursday evenings, which is aimed at any student ages 16-80 who would like to learn to play a stringed instrument in a fun, social and non-judgmental group setting. No prior experience is required, simply a desire to learn, make music, have fun and encourage one another.
Mrs. Case is an experienced string teacher who has a special place in her heart for the older or adult beginner, knowing by personal experience that it is very possible to pick up an instrument at any age and make it a vital part of life since she herself did not begin playing the violin until age 36. She is a private instructor of violin and viola, as well as piano, and is the Director of the Soo Theatre Advanced Youth orchestra and the New Horizons Strings. She plays violin and viola with the Sault Symphony Orchestra, Marquette Symphony and in the musical and opera productions of the Soo Theatre.
The Advanced Orchestra welcomes advanced level string players from the community or from the LSSU student body to join. Players from the Advanced Orchestra will be featured and included in the upcoming Sault Symphony orchestra concert, on the Soo Theatre stage on Sept. 28, at 8 pm.
The Intermediate Orchestra begins its second year at the theatre, under the direction of Lisa Beckman. This advancing group meets weekly, and is the place for players with at least a year of experience and good music reading skills to learn the fundamentals of expressive group playing while having a lot of fun.
Mrs. Beckman developed a model for a week-long strings camp, two sessions of which took place in July, assisted by STARS string teachers Benjamin Gulder (violin) and Kristin Beckman (cello). These camps were attended by students from the ages of 5-75, most of who will go on to play in one of our strings groups. With sufficient numbers, Ms. Beckman will form a new Beginner-level string orchestra which will allow beginning students to continue learning basics while making group music and will reinforce the skills they learn in their private lessons.
September 21 is a date to mark on your calendar. The theatre will host the Beckman and Mieczkowski families with a total of twenty musicians in all. They will showcase many of the offerings at the theatre including string orchestra, group piano, and ensembles to name a few.
Registration for all of the STARS programs, including the above string programs begins on August 26 at the theatre. For further information, please visit the newly-revamped website at sootheatre.org or call (906) 632-1930.
A version of this article was originally published in the Soo Evening News on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013.
