Strings in the Schools

Get ready for fun! Strings in the Schools is a fantastic way to introduce your child to the joy of playing a musical instrument.

SIS es una manéra en que su hijo/a puede aprender como tocár un instrumento.

Available to students from third to sixth grade, Strings in the Schools offers before- or after-school group lessons to introduce the foundation of playing a string instrument. Built for beginners, Strings in the Schools teaches students how to count rhythm, read music, properly hold their instrument and bow, and develop basic fingering technique. After one year, students can continue their music education experience by joining Super Bows.

Las clases de SIS son para estudiantes de terzer a sexto grados, antes o despues de la escuela. Para estudiantes que jamas an tocado un instrumento, su hijo/a aprendaran como contar ritmo, leer música, y como sostener el instrumento. Despues de un año, su hijo/a puede seguir tocando en el grupo Super Bows.

This program brings a unique opportunity for children to launch a lifelong love of music.

Strings in the Schools serves more than 120 students each year. These children come from SLO County and beyond – this is the only orchestra program that teaches violin, viola and cello to elementary school students in the area.

Many of the schools where Strings in the Schools is taught are Title I, with a high percentage of low-income families. By keeping tuition low and offering need-based scholarships, the program helps fill the arts education gap while remaining accessible to everyone.

After one year, Strings in the Schools students are eligible to continue their music education experience by joining Super Bows.

music education strings in the schools

Strings in the Schools offers strings lessons to children throughout the Central Coast. You can help support our music education programs and more by making a donation to the San Luis Obispo Symphony today.

Register Your Student

Registrations are now closed. Please check back at the beginning of the school year for registration information!

SIS classes are taking place at the following locations for the 2018-19 school year.

San Luis Coastal Unified School District
Baywood Elementary
Bishop’s Peak Elementary
CL Smith Elementary
Del Mar Elementary
Hawthorne Elementary
Los Ranchos Elementary
Monarch Grove Elementary
Pacheco Elementary
Sinsheimer Elementary
Teach Elementary
Lucia Mar Unified School District
Dorothea Lange Elementary
Templeton Unified School District
Vineyard Elementary
Private Schools
St. Patrick’s Catholic School

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Strings in the Schools Cost?

Tuition is $390 for approximately 30 lessons (including performances) per academic school year. | La matricula es $390 por 30 clases en el año escolar.

Scholarship deadline is Saturday, September 22, 2018 with a $50 deposit. Applications must be submitted and sent via email or mail, along with a $50 deposit. | Aplicaciones para becas se tienen que entragar no mas tarde que sabado, el 22 de septiembre con un deposito de $50.

Download Scholarship Application (English)
Descargar solicitud de beca (español)

Whether you are seeking a scholarship or not, a deposit of $50 will be required upon registration in order to reserve a spot for your child.

This fee may be paid by check (made out to SLO Symphony), or online by clicking here.

Por una beca, por favor complete el formulario hasta mero abájo de esta pagina. Cuando se entrega el formulario, se tendra que pagar la matriculacion de $50.

Please note that tuition is non-refundable.

Does my student need to be enrolled in the same school as their lessons?

Strings in the Schools will be taught at 14 schools throughout San Luis Obispo County, and your child may sign up at any school regardless of where they are enrolled. Homeschool students are welcome, too! However, please note that we cannot provide any transportation to and from lessons.

Are instruments provided?

The San Luis Obispo Symphony has limited instruments available to rent for Strings in the Schools students. Pricing is flat-rate for the entire school year, and the instrument must be returned at the end of the program.

Violin – $65
Viola – $65
Cello – $85

Instrument Check Out Day will be held on September 22, 2018 at the Symphony office, and all instruments will be rented first-come, first-serve. The doors will be open from 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Due to limited availability, we encourage the rental or purchase of instruments through local/online music stores (i.e. www.sharmusic.com, www.musicmotive.com, www.ccflutes.com).

Additional questions?

If you have additional questions about the Strings in the Schools program, please call the San Luis Obispo Symphony office at 805-543-3533 and ask for the Music Education department.

¡Se habla español!