Elementary Strings

Elementary Strings Registration is now closed for the 2025-2026 Season!

Important information for our 2025-2026 registration:

For the 2025-2026 season, families interested in registering for the strings program must first add their names to a sign-up sheet on September 29th and later complete a registration link. The sign-up sheet for Elementary Strings will be accessible on this webpage starting September 29th at 6 a.m. Spots for each strings class are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Families who successfully add their names to the sheet that day will receive an email with a registration link on October 1st. If you do not secure a spot on the sign-up sheet, you will not receive a registration link and can email cysassoc@peak.org to join a waitlist. Remember, registration is only complete if you successfully sign up on the sign-up sheet on September 29th and then follow the link sent to your email on October 1st.

Families who wish to apply for a financial scholarship can do so before registering by scrolling down to the bottom of this page and clicking the red button. Signing up for a scholarship does not guarantee you a spot in a class.

ES Kick-Off Event:
Thursday September 25th
Linus Pauling Middle School
6-8pm

Come learn more about our program and find out about instrument rentals! Information about scholarship instruments and rental options will be available at our opening event!

ES Program Overview
The Corvallis Youth Symphony Association provides direction and support for Elementary Strings (ES), Levels 1, 2, and 2+. All public, private, and homeschool students in 3rd-5th grades are invited to enroll in Elementary Strings classes. Students can choose from learning Violin, Viola, or Cello in a group orchestra setting.

Music educators agree on the importance of cultivating young string musicians at an early age. Playing an instrument increases reasoning skills and builds teamwork, discipline, cooperation, and a sense of belonging. Learning to make music encourages creativity. More importantly, it’s just plain fun!

Lessons and Performances
Classes begin October 8 and continue until the final concert (May 30). Strings instruction for Levels 1, 2, and 2+ will consist of two 45-minute orchestra classes each week, held at various elementary schools in Corvallis.

The Elementary Strings Winter Concert will take place Saturday, January 17 at LaSells Stewart Center

The Elementary Strings Spring Concert will take place Saturday, May 30 at LaSells Stewart Center

Elementary Strings Tuition
Tuition payments may be made in full ($525), or as eight monthly payments of $66.

Instruments can be rented from Beacock Music or Nancy Rohns Violin Shop. The cost of instrument rental is not included in ES program fees. Please do not rent an instrument until you have registered for a class.

We want all students to participate in Elementary Strings regardless of financial considerations. Questions about need-based financial aid should be emailed to cysassoc@peak.org or you may call (541) 766-4903 for more information.

To ensure that all students can participate in this enrichment activity, we welcome tax-deductible donations.
The Corvallis Youth Symphony Association is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

ES Parent Participation - Join class and learn an instrument too!
Elementary Strings parents may join their students' Strings class, learning alongside their student, for free! They must provide their own instrument/music book. All parents who wish to participate in their student's class must complete the Corvallis School District volunteer application/background check (https://www.csd509j.net/students-parents/volunteer/) at least 3 weeks before participating in class, and email cysassoc@peak.org for approval to join a class.

Refund Policy
After you have paid 4 months’ tuition (through January) you may drop out of ES by giving notice to the CYSA Office (cysassoc@peak.org) by the 1st of the month in which you plan to quit. If you provide notice later than the 1st, you will be charged tuition for that month. No tuition refunds will be given for October-January.
(Example: You plan to quit after the January ES concert. You must provide notice to the CYSA Office no later than February 1, or you will also be charged February tuition.)

2025-2026 Elementary Strings Staff
Bettine Zimmermann – ES Lead Teacher and Encore! Conductor
Anne Ridlington – ES Teacher
Ella Jones – ES Teacher
Blair Girard – ES Teacher
Ryan Downs – ES Teacher
Jana Wells - ES Teacher
Beatrice Lobscheid – ES assistant Teacher
Axel Martin - ES Assistant Teacher
Shane Ong - ES Assistant Teacher
Andrea Sullivan - ES Assistant Teacher

Encore!

Encore! is the honors Elementary Strings orchestra for Level 2/2+ students who seek more of a challenge. Students who attend Corvallis public schools must also be members of an ES class to participate in Encore!. Homeschooled and private school students are welcomed to join Encore! if they are recommended by their music teacher. Encore! information will be sent to all level 2/2+ students in the spring!

Click here for the Elementary Strings Class Schedule