String Department
String Department Chair Sponsored by Alice Jones
String Department - Core Philosophy
Welcome to the string department at South Shore Conservatory! By choosing to study the violin, viola, cello or double bass at either our Duxbury or Hingham locations you and your child are joining a community of teachers, parents and students committed to the highest ideals in performing arts education. In addition to studying their instrument of choice, our students also have the opportunity to study music in all of its varied forms, from classes in basic musicianship and music theory to ensembles ranging in size from a small chamber ensemble all the way up to a full symphony orchestra as part of the BaYS youth symphony program. We offer numerous chances to hear our world class faculty perform on both campuses, and our students perform in recitals throughout the year.
Our string teachers are among the best and most experienced in the Boston Metro area, holding advanced degrees from some of the nation’s finest conservatories and universities, performing with many of the major ensembles in the region, and bringing years of experience and a commitment to teaching at the highest levels. We offer traditional and Suzuki teaching methods and our teachers are experienced in working with every type of student, from young children and adult beginners to advanced high school students and college undergraduates, in both individual and group settings.
String Department Chair - Philip Rush
Philip Rush, violin and viola, born and raised in Riverside, California, is a musician with a wide range of interests and experience. Although classically trained and at home in traditional recital, chamber music and symphonic settings, he has also performed as an electric violist in rock bands, in folk ensembles, and in jazz ensembles. His experience with contemporary music and baroque performance on period instruments has led to an interest in improvisation in traditional genres as well. As a teacher Philip strives to help his students achieve a sound, tension-free technique combined with the mental tools and intellectual curiosity to help achieve their own individual musical goals, whatever they may be.
Philip holds a BA, cum laude, from the University of California at Riverside, a MFA in viola performance from the California Institute of the Arts, and a DM in viola performance from the Florida State University. In addition to teaching at South Shore Conservatory, Philip maintains a private studio at his home in Jamaica Plain and is an active freelance musician, performing regularly with the Chamber Orchestra of Boston, Intermezzo Opera Boston, The Rhode Island Philharmonic, The Handel and Haydn Society and the Cantata Singers. In his spare time he enjoys cooking and long walks with his wife Michelle, who is also a professional violist and teacher.
Instrument Instruction
Private Lessons
Most students may begin traditional lessons on violin, viola, cello and bass when they are four or five. Suzuki instruction on violin, viola, cello, bass and guitar may begin for children at age four. During each 17-week semester, each private lesson student receives an evaluation from the teacher to keep the student and the parent apprised of the student’s progress. Private and semi-private lessons are 30 minutes,
45 minutes, and
60 minutes in length. Group instruction (for three or more students) is 60 minutes in length. Click here for complete pricing.
Our lesson prices are based on two 17-week semesters. Students choosing to pay for a full year receive 34 lessons at the 32-week price.
| Private Lesson Rates: | ||
| 17 weeks | 34 weeks (if paid in full by 9/11/09) | |
| 30 minutes | $714 | $1344 |
| 45 minutes | $986 | $1856 |
| 60 minutes | $1258 | $2368 |
PLEASE NOTE: Paying tuitions online with PayPal does not register you for programs and lessons. Click here to submit an online registration request or contact our Registrar to complete the registration process.
String Department Class Offerings
Basic Musicianship
Vartan Aghababian, Edwina Li, Margaret Li
Basic Musicianship is offered to all private lesson students to supplement their music literacy. These one hour classes review and teach basic elements of music such as keys and key signatures, time signatures, rhythms in various meters, form and basic solfege. Offered at various times during the week to accommodate student’s varying schedules. 12 weeks
All classes are 60 minutes
Hingham: Monday: 5:30, (7:00-adult), Wednesday: 2:30, 3:00,
Thursday: 3:00, 4:00, 5:30, 6:00, (7:00-adult)
Duxbury: Monday: 6:30, 7:15, 5:15, 6:45, (7:45-adult)
Be sure to let the registrar know at which time and location you wish to register.
Duxbury Registrar
(781) 934-2731 x10
Hingham Registrar
(781) 749-7565 x12
Spring Semester - $50 (classes sarts the week of March 15)
| Hingham | Duxbury |
Adult Chamber Strings
String Faculty
Adult violin, viola, cello and double bass players, novice through intermediate, experience the joy of playing in a string ensemble. With a relaxed schedule of rehearsals tailored to fit an adult’s busy lifestyle, this user-friendly program is designed to strengthen musical skills and to provide enjoyable music making in an informal and supportive atmosphere. Interested players should contact Donald Zook at 781-934-2731, ext 16. Campus, day and time to be determined by teacher and participants. 12 weeks
$265
Bay Youth Symphony (BaYS)
Music Director Jim Vinci
Managing Director Candace Kniffen
Artistic Director Steven Karidoyanes
BaYS is an auditioned*, sequential youth orchestra program designed to create an opportunity for dedicated and talented young musicians, living in communities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, to perform symphonic music at a high level in a well organized orchestra program. In partnership with The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, the program offers ensembles at three levels: a string ensemble for younger students, an intermediate level full symphonic orchestra, and an advanced full symphonic orchestra. Artistic Director Steven Karidoyanes acts as artistic advisor and meets with the orchestras three times per year. Students are coached by SSC faculty members and area music educators. All rehearsals take place Wednesday Evenings at the Duxbury Performing Arts Center.
Dolce Strings (string ensemble) - Theresa Johnson, Conductor $325/year
Sinfonia (intermediate full orchestra) - Nicholas Tatarka, Conductor $375/year
Symphony (advanced full orchestra) - Jim Vinci, Conductor $450/year
*No audition is necessary for Dolce Strings. This performing ensemble is usually comprised of students in elementary school who have been studying their instrument for one or two years, and are ready for fundamental ensemble playing.
For more information or for an audition, please contact Managing Director Candace Kniffen at c.kniffen@sscmusic.org.
Visit the BaYS web page for complete audition and payment information.
Chamber Music
Chamber opportunities are available in strings, percussion, woodwind, brass, voice and mixed instruments with or without voice. Playing in a small group setting, with each participant focusing on his/her individual part, can greatly improve a student’s playing, and is a helpful supplement for any student in a school band or orchestra program. Placement auditions are required to ensure that students are placed with others at the same level of expertise. Students must audition by September 25, 2009 to be included in the fall semester ensemble program. For a placement audition please call Donald Zook at 781-934-2731, ext. 16 to schedule an audition time. Ensembles meet weekly for one hour. All ensemble students participate in a chamber concert at the end of the semester. 12 weeks
$265
String Department Special Events
String Competition
Saturday, May 1, 2010 starting at 12:00 pm in the Recital Hall, on the Duxbury Campus.
Winner’s Concert at 5:30 p.m.
Download Rules and Eligibility Requirements
String Day
Saturday March 13, 2010, 12-4 pm
Cox Hall, Hingham Campus
Featuring the Boston Public Quartet Free to Registered SSC or BaYS Students, $10 Donation for the General Public Come play with us at this very special, second annual event devoted to string playing and music. The Boston Public Quartet shares its new model for music education and performance that brings together musicians, teachers and families. In this model, developed during their residency at the Chittick School in Mattapan, music is not simply a lesson or a concert, but a means of transformation and connection to the larger community. Click here for more details.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for private lessons for children whose families can document financial need. Application forms are available in the office and as a downloadable Word Document and must be filled out and returned prior to the first week of the semester. All applications will be considered by the Scholarship Committee, which meets before each semester to grant assistance. Recipients of scholarship aid must reapply each semester.
South Shore Conservatory admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all rights and privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.