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Founded in 2006, the District Strings Program is one of only a handful in the province. Classes range from beginner to senior strings, and students are welcome to join from Grade 4 onwards. No previous strings training is required and instruction is provided at a very rudimentary level for beginners. Strings players can continue to participate in the program until Grade 12, and are even welcome to join after high school graduation as a community player (as we all know that music fulfills us for a lifetime!)

Nine School District 73 schools currently offer the program including: Beattie Elementary, AE Perry Elementary, David Thompson Elementary, Westsyde Elementary, Brock Middle School, Kamloops School of the Arts, Barriere Elementary, Barriere Secondary and Sun Peaks. Information sessions are held in September of each year inviting new and continuing students to join. Permission forms are distributed at this time. 

During the school year, strings students can expect to attend classes either during school hours or after school depending on the school site. There is no charge for the lessons and students are only asked to cover the cost of renting an instrument. For beginner classes students have a choice of learning the violin or cello. For advanced classes, the violin and string bass are also added as instrument options. 

District Strings perform in small and large ensembles at several concert opportunities throughout the year.  Performances are often in front of school audiences as well as in larger venues with final concerts taking place in June at Sagebrush Theatre. Each year they are part of the School District 73 Arts in the High Country Festival which is an adjudicated festival at Sagebrush Theatre held in the spring.

Students can expect to be provided with an encouraging learning environment which allows individual learning at a student鈥檚 own pace and comfort level. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn a new instrument and make new friends.