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 11 and continue until the final concert (June 2). 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 6 at Corvallis High School
The Elementary Strings Spring Concert will take place Sunday, June 2 at Corvallis High School
Elementary Strings Tuition Tuition payments may be made in full ($500), or as eight monthly payments of $63.
Instruments can be rented from Beacock Music.The cost of instrument rental is not included in ES program fees. Please do not rent an instrument from Beacock 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 bettine.zimmermann.cysa@gmail.com 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.)
2023-2024 Elementary Strings Staff
Bettine Zimmermann, ES Lead Teacher, CYSA Orchestra Manager, and Encore! conductor
Ella Jones, ES Teacher & CYSA Administrative Assistant
Anne Ridlington, ES Teacher
Viola Stark- ES Teacher
Aria Kimdon - ES Assistant Teacher
Danielle Bermudez - ES Assistant Teacher
Blaire Girard - ES Assistant Teacher
Abe Tsai - ES Assistant Teacher
Encore!
Encore! 2019 performance at Crescent Valley High School
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.
Contact us For more information, please email us at cysassoc@peak.org or call us at 541-766-4903.