Click here to register

 

The WKU Summer String Institute is a concentrated week of study for violin, viola, cello, and bass students ages 4 - 18. Enrolled students will participate in master classes, group instruction, orchestral study, concerts, and musical enrichment on the campus of Western Kentucky University. The Institute features two courses of study:

   Twinklers: A half-day session for young beginners             
   Young Musicians: A full-day session for elementary through high school age students

The Institute offers all students the valuable opportunity to deepen their knowledge of string playing in an engaging and exciting environment. The teaching faculty of the Summer String Institute includes WKU music faculty members and guest artist teachers.

Meet Our Faculty

 

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Twinklers - Half-Day 9:00am - 11:30am

Violin

• Beginners Welcome!
• Students age 4 and older
• We provide violins at no additional cost!

Enrollment in the Twinklers - Half-Day is open to brand new beginners and students studying Suzuki violin in Books 1-3, Ages 4 and older. Students will participate in a group class led by one of our faculty members. Group classes are organized around age and skill levels. SSI is designed to be a family experience and parents are encouraged to attend classes with their child and help them prepare for each days lessons.

Tuition for Twinklers Half-day

Regular Registration (April 16 – June 30): $175

Last minute Registration (up until July 20): $200

     

   

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Young Musicians -  Full- Day 9:00am –3:30pm

Enrollment in the Young Musicians – Full-Day is open to elementary through high school students who play violin, viola, cello and bass. Daily instruction will include lessons (in masterclass format), group classes, orchestra rehearsals, and music theory enrichment classes.  Full-day session includes lunch. Students enrolling in this session need to have a minimum of 1 year of experience and be proficient reading the notes on all 4 strings of their instruments. 

Tuition

Regular Registration (April 16 – June 30): $260 (lunch included)

Last minute Registration (up until July 20): $295 (lunch included)

 

Chamber Music

For those interested in an intensive chamber music experience, consider enrolling in the Hilltop String Festival, held on WKU's campus June 13-20, 2025. More info below:

Hilltop String Festival

 

         

Concerto Competition

Our concerto competition is open to ALL INSTRUMENTS. The winner will perform their solo in the Finale concert. Please Click here to read the guidelines and rules.

 

 

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Final Concert

The institute week will conclude with a concert involving all of the camp participants from both the half-day and full-day programs.  

Friday, July 25

3:00pm

Van Meter Auditorium, WKU Campus

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Registration -  Click here to Register

Please allow 10 minutes to fill out the registration form.  A paper invoice from WKU will be mailed to the address provided on the registration form in July.  It will have instructions on payment methods, handled through the WKU Cashier's Office.

To ensure that we have a T-shirt for your child, registration must be completed by July 1st.

Tuition

Twinklers Half-day

Regular Registration (April 16 – June 30): $175

Last minute Registration (up until July 20): $200

 

Young Musicians Full-day

Regular Registration (April 16 – June 30): $260

Last minute Registration (up until July 20): $295

 

Withdraw Policy    

To withdraw from participating in the SSI, you must notify the director in writing by emailing andrew.braddock@wku.edu. If you choose to withdraw after submitting this registration form, you will not be charged any tuition if you email before June 15. If you withdraw between June 15 and July 16, you will be charged 50% of the tuition fee. If you withdraw on July 17 or later, you will be charged the full tuition fee, regardless of whether you attend.

 

For more information, contact Camp Director, Andy Braddock at andrew.braddock@wku.edu