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Preparatory String Program

The ISU Preparatory String Program offers 13 lessons per semester.

  • Students age 5 through adult
  • Lessons for 30, 45, or 60 minutes, once a week, scheduled directly with the assigned instructor
  • All lessons online or on ISU campus
  • Instructors consist of ISU music performance and music education majors,  supervised and observed by Dr. Eleanor Christman, director of the program and professor of cello, and Dr. Hyeri Choi, professor of violin and viola.

For more information please contact:

Dr. Eleanor Christman, director
eleanorchristman@isu.edu
208-282-1423
To learn more about other programs available for young string players, please visit:
Idaho State Civic Symphony Youth Orchestra
and
ISU Summer Institute for Piano and Strings
 
REGISTRATION FOR VIOLIN AND VIOLA IS CLOSED.

 

Beginning violin student

Beginner

Beginner string lessons are designed for students with little or no experience on the instrument who want to learn basic skills. They play simple folk songs and stay in first position.

Intermediate violin student

Intermediate

Intermediate string lessons are designed for students who have been playing for a year or more and want to improve their skills. They work on pieces that include some shifting and late intermediate players learn vibrato.

Advanced violin student

Advanced

Advanced string students have been playing for a few years and are comfortable with both shifting and vibrato. They play etudes, sonatas, and concertos.

Tuition Cost for 13 lessons

$235 per semester for 13 30-minute lessons PAY HERE
$350 per semester for 13 45-minute lessons PAY HERE
$465 per semester for 13 60-minute lessons PAY HERE

Payment is due by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024. Pay through the online link (sent directly to you) or deliver/mail cash or check (made out to ISU Preparatory String Program) to Liz Christensen, the Music Department's administrative assistant:  Fine Arts Building, room 205 or Music Department, 921 South 8th Avenue, Stop 8099 Pocatello, ID 83209.

Mission Statement

The Idaho State University Preparatory String Program has two purposes:

  1. to provide quality private string instruction to committed students of all ages and levels who do not pursue college credit;
  2. to provide mentored teaching internships for string majors who are pursuing music degrees at Idaho State University.

 

Fall 2024 Schedule:

Week of August 26 lessons begin 
Week of September 2 (Monday, September 2, Labor Day)
Friday, September 6, tuition due by 5 p.m.
Week of September 9
Week of September 16
Week of September 23
Week of September 30
Week of October 7
Week of October 14
Week of October 21
Week of October 28
Week of November 4 
Week of November 11 Make-up week or week off
Week of November 18
Week of November 25 Thanksgiving break
Week of December 2
Friday, December 6, Dress Rehearsal 3:30-6 p.m.
Saturday, December 7, 1 p.m. recital
 
*All lessons are in-person unless otherwise arranged with the director and instructor.

 

Eleanor Christman Cox

Our Director
Eleanor Christman, DMA

is the Assistant Professor of Cello in the ISU Music Department, where she teaches applied cello and related courses, is a member of the Monarch Trio, is principal cellist of the Idaho State-Civic Symphony, and directs the Preparatory String Program. She performs widely as a chamber and orchestral musician.

 

Dr. Eleanor Christman, director
208-282-1423

Covid-19 Prevention Plan

Officials at ISU have spent the summer formulating a safety plan and we are coordinating our PSP plan with the university.  There are four facets to the plan.
 
  • Please wear a mask if that is how you are most comfortable.  Instructors may or may not be in masks; they are allowed to choose.  If the university changes this policy at any point, you will be notified. 
  • Students should wash hands before their lesson. 
  • To protect the health and safety of our campus community, we will continue to follow the latest CDC guidance.

    CDC Update
    August 11, 2022

    • All individuals should assess their own level of risk and take any necessary steps to protect themselves.
    • Colleges and universities have been removed from the list of places considered as high risk for congregate spread, meaning that students, faculty, and staff exposed to COVID-19 do not need to quarantine.
    • Testing is no longer recommended for individuals who may be exposed but have no symptoms.
    • The CDC recommends screening for high-risk activities, before or after large activities, and after returning from holidays or spring break.
    • Symptomatic or infected individuals should isolate for five days and wear a well-fitting mask around others. Infected individuals may end isolation after five days if their symptoms have improved and they do not have a fever for 24 hours. 
    • The updated guidance, which Idaho State University will closely follow, reflects a focus on individuals making their own decisions about their level of risk and mitigating that risk.
 

Go Tell Aunt Rhody, folk song by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Going Up the Swing by Kathryn Brid Kinnard

Minuet No. 1 by J.S. Bach

Excerpt of 1st movement of Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 26 by Max Bruch