BY KATLAN THOMERSON
Glasgow News 1
First Presbyterian Church of Glasgow soon will open spring enrollment for its String Academy. The program continues a mission of fulfilling a want in the lives of the youth who love music.
“We began this program roughly five years ago when the Glasgow Independent School System discontinued their string program,” said Rev. Charlie Evans of First Presbyterian Church. “That left a lot of students who like playing strings with no outlet, so we started our program to help the youth who like playing a string instrument.”
When the program first began, private instructors provided one-to-one instruction to students who play cello, violin, and viola. Within the last year, the program started a partnership with the WKU Pre-College String Academy led by Dr. Ching-Yi Lin. Currently the String Academy offers two classes. Individual courses at First Presbyterian Church and group instruction at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. During the individual courses, students receive a minimum of 30 minutes of private lessons from a student who attends the university. In the group class, students play together while preparing for the two recitals the academy provides each semester at WKU and the church.
In addition to the end of semester recitals, the academy occasionally performs for organizations within Barren County.
“We’ve been invited by the Kiwanis of Glasgow. We’re always happy to come and appear and to give back to a group that needs us,” Evans said.
Outside of helping students develop their passion for string instruments, the academy promotes the importance of leadership skills by appointing one student as the Academy Ambassador. This year, Glasgow High School senior Hudson Stahl was chosen by outgoing ambassador Jackson Bower.
“The ambassador serves as the public face of the program by giving speeches and leading the group,” Evans said.
This grant-funded program is free to all participants in grades 1 through 12, but instruments are not provided. Those who need assistance in acquiring an instrument are welcomed to reach out to the church.
“We help provide instruments to students when there’s truly a need,” Evans said. “For example, if the fee for renting an instrument is $40 a month, we will reimburse the family that $40.”
Open enrollment for the Spring semester begins January 16. Those interested in registering for the program are encouraged to send an email to church at firstpresb@outlook.com, visit the church in person, or send Rev. Evans a text message at (270)-202-2004 requesting an application for the academy.
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