NPCC music department announces Summer Strings Camp

North Platte Community College student Breanna Lundgreen, of North Platte, plays the violin during a performance at the college earlier in the semester. The NPCC music department will offer a Summer Strings Camp in July.

The North Platte Community College music department will offer a Summer Strings Camp in July. It’s the first time for the event July 8-12 and July 15-19.

The camp will consist of separate group sessions for beginners and intermediates as well as an orchestra ensemble. Seats, which are limited to the first 10 paid registrations in each class, are expected to fill up fast. The cost of each session is $100.

“I am excited to provide students with something we’ve never done before,” said Kristin Simpson, music instructor. “String programs are a very important part of any music department, and we have a strong need for them in West Central Nebraska. I thought this would be a fabulous opportunity to reach as many students as possible. This camp will also support the string program already present at North Platte Public Schools by offering not only lessons, but also a string orchestra.”

Simpson has years of experience with string programs. She received a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and taught as a string specialist in the Lincoln Public Schools before earning a master’s degree in violin performance from the University of Nebraska Omaha.

One of her teaching assistant responsibilities in Omaha was to teach a string skills class for education majors pursuing a music education degree.

The following is a lineup of the classes she will offer during the camp in North Platte.

Beginner group lessons

The beginner group lessons are open to students entering fourth grade and older. Instruction will focus on the basics of playing and caring for the violin, viola, cello and bass. Students are expected to practice at home as well. 

The violin and viola session will be from 9-9:45 a.m. each day and will be followed by the cello and bass workshop from 10-10:45 a.m.

Intermediate group lessons

Students in the intermediate group lessons will continue their study of playing in a group setting. No auditions are necessary, but the required playing ability is similar to what would be expected of seventh grade music students.

Participants must already know C, G (two octaves) and D majors. As with the beginner lessons, students are expected to review study material at home.

The violin and viola class will be every day from 11-11:45 a.m., and the cello and bass session will be from noon to 12:45 p.m. 

Orchestra Ensemble

The orchestra ensemble is for late-intermediate to advanced string players. Students will rehearse and perform in a group setting.

Playing ability is similar to that required for ninth grade and higher music abilities. No auditions are necessary for the orchestra, however, participants must have already learned all the beginner scales plus A major (two octaves), F major, the B-flat major scale (two octaves) and natural minor scales E, A, B, D and G.

The orchestra will practice from 1:30-2:30 p.m. daily.

Those interested in signing up for the camp can do so online at: bceregister.mpcc.edu, by emailing smeltzerj@mpcc.edu or by calling (308) 535-3678.