STRING TEAM Partnership between JSO and SAU!

New Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Spring Arbor University partnership brings world-class string instruction to two Jackson County Schools

Jackson Symphony Orchestra announces new string curriculum at Ezra Eby Elementary School and Paragon Charter Academy for the 2010-2011 school year.

Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Spring Arbor University have combined resources to engage a string instructor specialist to augment and enrich both their programs. Ji Hyun Kim received her Doctor of Musical Arts from Michigan State University in May and will begin teaching and performing at both institutions in September. In addition to private instruction, she will head up the JSO String Team program which offers 4th and 5th graders small group string instruction on a semi-weekly basis. The first school to sign up for the new in-school string program was Napoleon School District’s Ezra Eby Elementary. Paragon Charter Academy quickly followed. Students will be participating in this specialized string instruction as a part of the general school day curriculum. Ji Hyun, the JSO string team’s newly appointed instructor spent most of the summer traveling and performing on stages in Australia, Luxembourg and throughout Europe. She is now enthusiastically embracing the new school program as well as her roles within the Orchestra and at Spring Arbor University.

“This is a dream come true,” stated Stephen Osmond, Music Director of the JSO. “To have someone of Ji Hyun’s caliber having their principal job be focused on the JSO and SAU is something we have been planning for years. We have always had excellent teachers, many of whom were working on degrees at U of M or MSU, but when the degree was completed they would find full-time employment which would necessitate a move from the area. This is a huge cornerstone for the future of our education and performance programs.”

Mary Spring further adds, “String instruction is something that is associated with a strong, well-rounded elementary education. The 2010 school year marks the beginning of bringing string instruction into county schools in an affordable and high quality manner. We are very proud of the program, our instructor and what this project will mean to the education of Jackson County youth. We are also very grateful to Spring Arbor University for their essential role in supporting the Arts in our community and enhancing the education of students in Jackson County.”

“We are very excited about this partnership with the Symphony and believe it will greatly enhance our music program. We are thrilled about the possibilities for helping kids in Jackson area schools discover the joy of playing a stringed instrument,” says Bruce Brown, professor of music and music department chair at SAU, as well as the composer-in-residence at the JSO.

School districts interested in hosting a String Team should contact Mary Spring at 517.782.3221. For more information about Spring Arbor University, visit www.arbor.edu. For more information about the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, visit www.jacksonsymphony.org.



Contact Information:

Spring Arbor University

Dr. Bruce Brown

750.1200



Ezra Eby Elementary School, Napoleon School District

Principal, Pam Barnes

Phone: 517.536.8667 Ext. 454



Paragon Charter Academy

Principal Kathy Watson

Phone 517.750.9500

Paragon General Music Instructor Linda Rockwell

Phone 941.4134



Jackson Symphony Orchestra

Stephen Osmond, Music Director

Mary Spring, Development Director