VIRGINIA R. HARPHAM STRING ORCHESTRA CLINIC

The 8th Annual Virginia R. Harpham Honor String Orchestra Clinic will take place on Saturday, November 3, 2012 and we cordially invite you and your exceptional string students to be a part of this exciting event at Morehead State University. Because of an overwhelming response in the past, we have created two orchestras. Designed for string students in middle and high school, these orchestras are geared towards musicians who are ready to meet the challenge of more difficult literature. There will also be assistance provided during the day for each instrument group (violin, viola, cello, and bass) and individual students will have the opportunity to discover more about MSU string studies, music admission and scholarship auditions. The cost of the clinic will be $25.00 per student to help defray some of the expenses for the event. Each student will receive a commemorative t-shirt.

We are very excited to be joined by Kathleen Heenan Swayze for this year.  About the guest conductor: "I grew up in Northern Virginia, the youngest of 6 children.  I earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Indiana University and a Master of Music Education Degree from Butler University.  I have been teaching middle school orchestra since 1991, and I have taught at Zionsville Middle School since 2000.  In that same year I had my first 2 string orchestra compositions published by Latham Music (Rounds for Strings and Autumn Variations).  Rounds for Strings was performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic soon after that.  I live in Zionsville with my husband, Mark, and son, Parker.  I am an avid soccer player and a unicycle enthusiast.  At Zionsville Middle School I am in charge of the Strolling Strings group and the Tri-M Music Honor Society, in addition to teaching the orchestra classes.  Every once in awhile you will find me in the halls either playing the accordion or riding the unicycle!!  In 2012 I was awarded the "Outstanding Middle School Music Educator Award" by the Indiana Music Educators Association (nominated by my awesome Zionsville parents)!!"
   
Students will be selected through a nomination process on the form provided. Please type or print legibly the names of your nominees in order, placing the best player as #1. The membership of the Virginia R. Harpham Honor String Orchestras will be based on your recommendations and the constraints of maintaining balanced ensembles. Indicate your recommendation for 1st or 2nd for your violin students. If you have a chamber group interested in Chamberfest please check the box on the form and fill out the information section.

Please accept our invitation to nominate students for Morehead State University’s Virginia R. Harpham Honor String Orchestras.  It is our intent to offer you and your students the very best musical experience possible.  We welcome your response and look forward to exciting music making with your exceptional students.  For more information call Christina Hartke Towell at (606) 784-1823 or e-mail chtowell@roadrunner.com.

• 2012 Invitation Letter 
• 2012 Student Nomination Form