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The mission of the Lillian Rauch Beginning Strings Program is to increase access to string instruction for under served students. Key objectives of the project are: to provide string instrument instruction free of charge, to nurture and develop students’ creative talents, and to prepare students for challenging opportunities in
music and life. The secondary goal, which has the potential to positively impact music education in Greensboro and the state of North Carolina, is to provide music education majors with the opportunity to explore and develop as teachers in a diverse setting.
The Greensboro Symphony began the Lillian Rauch Beginning Strings Program in 2000, with support from Lillian Rauch. The after-school program was taught by members of the Greensboro Symphony. In 2008, a partnership was formed between the Greensboro Symphony and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro String Education Program. At this time, the program was moved to the Clara J. Peck Elementary School and instruction was offered during the school day. The program grew fr
om 14 to approximately 60 students. With the combined efforts of UNCG and the GSO the program has continued to grow both in quantity and quality. The program expanded to also include David D. Jones Elementary School in 2016. The program now serves over 150 students at two elementary schools, Peck Elementary and Cone Elementary.
The Lillian Rauch Beginning Strings Program is currently possible through the joint efforts of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, the Clara J. Peck and Ceasar Cone Elementary Schools. Program coordinators, Dr. Rebecca MacLeod (Associate Professor of Music Education at UNCG), Lead Teachers Mr. Michael Petit and Mr. Roland Forti, and Mr. Peter Zlotnick (Education Manager for the GSO) work together to create a program that provides over 150 elementary students with the opportunity to study a string instrument.
Graduates of the Program have performed on a concert in honor of Dr. Maya Angelou. Students interacted with composer, Dr. Patricia Gray to create a new work entitled I AM Song and Dance. This work was performed for Dr. Angelou September 14, 2013 in Aycock Auditorium at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Other recent performance/interactions have included: Sphinx Virtuosi (2011), Catalyst Quartet (2011), Harlem Quartet (2012), John McLaughlin Williams (2013), International Civil Rights Museum (2014).
Near to Peck Elementary, Jackson Middle School has now started an orchestra, in response to the large number of students entering who are graduates of the Lillian Rauch Beginning Strings Program.