Giving students the opportunity to learn something new is a big part of helping them discover their own talents.
That’s according to Shandy Phillips, concertmaster of the Starkville Strings School who visited Starkville Rotary Club Monday. She said her school, which offers both private and ensemble lessons in stringed instruments, is one way to help students make those discoveries.
In the coming semester, Phillips said, she’s planning to introduce a new theory and ear training class. The class will initially be geared toward the string students she already teaches, but she hopes to make it more widely available in the future for voice, band or any other students who would like to take the class.
Phillips said the school’s lessons are all part of an effort to provide instruction to local students that might be expected in a larger city than Starkville.
“When you give the opportunity to really, honestly try something out and you give them the foundational skills they need, they can do truly amazing things,” Phillips said.
Currently, Phillips said, the school has 21 violinists and three cellists, with one more of each set to join in the fall. Right now the school doesn’t have any students who play the viola, which she called the “dark horse” of the string family. Traditionally, she said, the viola has been an instrument for an orchestra and not for solos.
“It’s not an instrument that kids usually pick first,” she said. “They go for violin or for cello. Very few are just violists from the very beginning.”
Phillips said the school relies on support, both from community and local business donors, as well as national grants, to keep going.
“We produce products,” she said. “We produce students. Those are people who are learning and not things. We don’t have a thing to sell to provide us with an income to pay our rent.”
Lessons at the school are $30 for half an hour, though Phillips said that price has some flexibility for students who are being sponsored to attend. The Starkville Strings School also has a scholarship program. Phillips said the goal of that program is to help those students who might not otherwise be able to get into the school.
“Our major aim for having a scholarship program for our more financially vulnerable community members is simple — you never know who has a real talent in something unless you provide an honest opportunity for that child to try a thing out,” she said. “It would be a shame for a child’s parent’s finances to be the obstacle which prevents a great musician from becoming great.”
Similarly, she said the school has a small number of instruments it can provide for free to students who need them.
Still, Phillips said the school is seeking input and feedback from the community for more potential funding opportunities.
“As our school grows, we need to fund our endeavors,” she said. “As community members and Rotary Club members, anyone who has ideas for how our school can raise funds and awareness, please talk to us because we continually need these.”
For more information about the Starkville Strings School, contact the school at 662-323-6005.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
