The Youth String Orchestra’s Prelude and Fun in G(rowth) Major

By Cheryl Tristam
Like every great team, the Flagler Symphony has its own farm system in the Flagler Youth String Orchestra. Compared with last year, our youth group's enrollment doubled in the winter session that began January 11th (we're at 22 students), our experience level is more varied, and we are providing nine students with first-ever instruction on a string instrument. We have at least one student from each of Flagler County's eight public and charter schools, including Cornerstone Elementary and Summit Middle School. Even more notably, our program is providing continued orchestral experience to students who were in orchestras before moving to Palm Coast. We're fortunate to have students from Atlanta, GA, Brooklyn, NY, and Melbourne, FL, who already had at least a year of string instruction. These kids bring invaluable experience and maturity to the orchestra.

Eighth grader Mary Grosso moved to Palm Coast two years ago from Melbourne, where the string program was part of her public school curriculum. Mary tells us she was disappointed when she arrived in Palm Coast and didn't immediately learn of opportunities to continue her music instruction. Since January she's been an enriching addition to the group.

 

The youth orchestra meets twice a week after school on Tuesday and Friday in the choral room at the Flagler-Palm Coast High School, courtesy of one of our supporters, FPCH Principal Bill Delbruegge. Our latest recital was held on January 23rd at the Palm Coast Yacht Club. It was the opening act for the Flagler Symphonic Society's annual membership meeting. Our next scheduled public appearance was at the Art League's and Palm Coast's Art in the Park on March 5th. Youth group volunteers in their "hands-on" booth gave youngsters the chance to see, hear and touch string instruments while spreading word of the youth orchestra's presence through the community. Our next performance will be on April 17th when we open for the Flagler Symphony at the DBCC Amphitheater.

The Flagler Youth String Orchestra is directed by Diana Bumgardner. A native of Ohio, Diana has a B.M. in violin performance from Baldwin-Wallace College and a M.M. from the University of Arizona. She was an instructor in music at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS where she taught applied strings and piano, and was chairman of the accompanying department. Diana has also taught public school strings and chorus in several Mississippi school districts, including Tupelo, Starkville and Meridian. She was also a 1st violinist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for a number of years. We're extremely lucky to have Diana directing our orchestra.

Our mission is simple: to provide collegial string instruction and performance opportunities for any child with a desire to play (regardless of the ability to pay), and to enrich our community through the arts. The goals are unachievable without community support. You can pledge that support by becoming a member of the Flagler Symphonic Society or by supporting the youth string orchestra's "Heart Strings" fund.

  • Sponsor a full-year scholarship at $500.

  • Sponsor a full-year violin rental at $340.

  • Sponsor one session (approximately nine weeks of instruction) at $120.

  • Sponsor one session of rental of violin at $90.

  • Sponsor one month rental of violin/cello at $30/$60.

All donations and sponsorships are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.

 

 

For more information regarding enrollment, sponsorship or performance opportunities, reach the youth string program coordinator, Cheryl Tristam, by phone at 446-2831, by e-mail at flaglerstrings@yahoo.com.  or by regular mail at 6 Blakefield Court, Palm Coast, FL  32137.