Spring 2025 Registration is Now Open!
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Society of Strings (SoS) consists of adult amateur string players of all skill levels. Be the Orchestra introductory courses introduce fundamentals and prepare students to join the SoS performing ensembles. More advanced participants play in the Encore and Sinfonia ensembles that perform two annual concerts. All groups are led by OKCPHIL musicians and educators, emphasize advancing technical and musical skills, and are invited to exclusive educational and social activities with OKCPHIL musicians and guest artists.
Rehearsals/Classes
All classes/ensembles meet once a week on Monday evenings at First Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City. Registration fees include all materials necessary for class. You will need to provide your own instrument – we can help you connect with a local music store to rent an instrument. Semester dates, class times, and fees are listed below in each program description.
Cost
Society of Strings charges a registration fee to contribute to program costs and special events. Fees/tuition are listed below in each program description. However, to relieve financial burden as a potential barrier to participation, members donate to a fund that covers partial and full scholarships for their fellow musicians. Donations exceeding scholarship needs are applied to operating costs of the program and exclusive Society of Strings experiences with OKCPHIL musicians and guest artists. Please email chase@okcphil.org to donate or request a scholarship.
Join Us!
Society of Strings has a place for everyone! To join our mailing list to receive registration notices and program updates, please submit the Society of Strings Interest Form. Participants ages 18 and up are welcome. Beginners are free to register for the Be the Orchestra – Beginner course during Registration. New participants with any prior playing experience should register now and list prior training/experience in the form. Society of Strings Coordinator, Dr. Rob Bradshaw, will later reach out to discuss ensemble placement.
Be the Orchestra
“Be the Orchestra” is the beginning cohort in the OKCPHIL Society of Strings program. Its goal is to teach the fundamentals of string playing in a heterogeneous string class for adult beginners. Students in this course need no prerequisite skill or knowledge in string playing or music. Classes meet for 12 weeks in the fall and spring semesters, one time per week. Upon completion of Be the Orchestra – Intermediate, students advance into Encore, a performance-based intermediate ensemble. Click the link below before choosing an instrument to aid in your decision!
Spring 2025 Be the Orchestra classes are held every Monday evening from January 27th to May 5th (minus 2/17 and 3/31), with tuition being $200/semester. The Beginner section meets 6:15-7:15 pm, and the Intermediate section meets 7:30-8:30 pm.
Encore
Encore is an intermediate-level performance ensemble. Encore members generally have one or two year’s playing experience or have completed the Be the Orchestra program. Led by Dr. Rob Bradshaw, this ensemble performs in public concerts twice each year while also improving their technical, musical, and ensemble skills. Players in the ensemble should be comfortable playing in first position on their instrument on all four strings. Skills which will develop with participation in Encore include: solid tone production, focused intonation, advanced rhythms, vibrato, shifting to third position (violins/violas), shifting to third and fourth positions (cellos/basses), and more.
The Spring 2025 SoS semester for performing ensembles is January 13th – May 5th (minus 1/20, 2/17, and 3/31) with, fees being $150/semester. Ensembles meet every Monday evening, 6:30-8:00.
Sinfonia
Sinfonia is the upper-level large performance ensemble of Society of Strings. This ensemble performs a wide range of repertoire, and students should be comfortable playing in multiple positions on their instrument. Repertoire requires advanced musical knowledge and skill with challenging rhythms, a developed tone, solid vibrato, and the ability to play in keys up to three sharps and three flats. Led by Jean Statham, this ensemble performs twice each year. Students will continue to develop a tonal palette, play in both simple and compound meters, develop an expressive vibrato, and develop their orchestral ensemble skills.
The Fall 2024 SoS semester for performing ensembles is September 9th – December 9th, with fees being $150/semester. Ensembles meet every Monday evening, 6:30-8:00.