Sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra
Mission Statement
The mission of the Lillian Rauch Beginning Strings Program is to increase access to string instruction for underserved students. Key objectives of the project are: to provide string instrument instruction free of charge, to nurture and develop students’ creative talents, and to prepare students for challenging opportunities in music and life. The secondary goal, which has the potential to positively impact music education in Greensboro and the state of North Carolina, is to provide music education majors with the opportunity to explore and develop as teachers in a diverse setting.
History
The Lillian Rauch Beginning Strings Program (LRBS) was founded by the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra in 2000. In 2008, the partnership expanded to include the University of North Carolina Greensboro. The program provides string instruction to students in grades 4-5 at Clara J. Peck Elementary and Caesar Cone Elementary schools. Both schools serve diverse student populations with 99% of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch. Participation is voluntary and enrollment ranges between 80 and 100 students annually. Students who enroll receive lessons during the school day twice per week in a group setting. UNCG Graduate students assisted by UNCG preservice teachers provide the instruction to the elementary students.
Partners
The Lillian Rauch Beginning Strings Program is currently possible through the joint efforts of the University of North Carolina Greensboro, the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, the Clara J. Peck Elementary School, and the Caesar Cone Elementary School. Program directors, Dr. Rebecca MacLeod – Professor of Music Education at UNCG and Mr. Peter Zlotnick – Education Manager for the GSO, work together to create a sustainable string outreach program that provides elementary students with the opportunity to study a string instrument.
News and Events
Adopt a String Student Day
Monday December 2, 11:30 AM
Tew Recital Hall, UNCG School of Music
Greensboro Symphony Pops Concert
Peck Alumni Leaders with the Lillian Rauch Beginning Strings Program
Saturday, March 28, 2020, 8:00 PM
Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts,
300 N. Elm Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Staff
Program Director; Professor of String Education
Dr. Rebecca MacLeod is Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she directs the string education program and conducts the UNCG Sinfonia. Prior to joining the UNCG faculty, she was the assistant artistic director and conductor of the Tallahassee Symphony Youth Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra in Tallahassee, Florida. A native of Pennsylvania, she taught elementary, middle, and high school orchestra in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania and was orchestra director and chair of music activities in Beaver, Pennsylvania.
Dr. MacLeod is a frequent guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States. An advocate of increased access to string instruction for all students, she has served on the American String Teachers Association National Board and is currently the North Carolina ASTA state president. Her research on working with underserved populations, vibrato technique, music teacher education, and music perception has been presented national and internationally. Dr. MacLeod received her undergraduate degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and her MME and PhD from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.
Education Manager of the Greensboro Symphony
Peter Zlotnick is a North Carolina-based musician and teacher. Peter is the principal timpanist of the Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Salisbury Symphony Orchestras. In addition to being a founding member of Amphion Percussion, Peter has performed as a member of the Philidor Percussion Group and on varied new music programs in North Carolina. Peter serves as Percussion Instructor at the Music Center of Greensboro and Catawba College. He is also Education Manager for the Greensboro Symphony, and a member of the music faculty at North Carolina Governor’s School West.
Heather Lofdahl is a string teacher, conductor, and violist who is pursuing a PhD in Music Education at The University of North Carolina Greensboro. Ms. Lofdahl is the coordinator of the Peck Alumni Leadership Program. She is Music Director of the Greensboro Symphony Youth Symphony Orchestra and also has a private violin and viola studio at The Music Academy of North Carolina, where she was awarded the Mary Elizabeth King Brown Teaching Excellence Award in 2014. Prior to moving to Greensboro, Ms. Lofdahl taught orchestra in Cobb County (GA). She has also taught elementary through university orchestra students in Illinois and North Carolina. She serves on the faculty of the Florida State University String Orchestra Camp every summer.
Ms. Lofdahl holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Education and Viola Performance from Augustana College and Master of Music degrees in Music Education and Viola Performance from The University of North Carolina Greensboro. She is an active guest conductor, clinician, and violist throughout the United States.
Ms. Amber Svetik is attending the University of North Carolina Greensboro in pursuit of a master’s degree in Music Education. Previously, Ms. Svetik was the Orchestra Director at Electa Arcotte Lee Magnet Middle School in Bradenton, FL from 2018-2021. During this time Ms. Svetik also taught and conducted ensembles for the Sarasota Youth Orchestras and Summer Camps, a program Ms. Svetik is an alumna of.
Ms. Svetik completed her Bachelor of Music Education at Florida State University in 2018. As a student, Ms. Svetik was a recipient of the Gaston Dufresne Scholarship and the undergraduate Presser Scholar Award. Alongside teaching after graduating, Ms. Svetik worked as an adjudicator for Florida Orchestra Association events and as a section violinist for the Venice Symphony.
Matthew Wilson is a nationally board certified string educator, conductor, and violist pursuing a Master of Music Education from the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG). Mr. Wilson is a string teacher at the Lillian Rauch Beginning Strings Program at Peck and Cone Elementary Schools, as well as a lead teacher with the Peck Alumni Association. In addition to teaching duties, Mr. Wilson serves as a Senator for the School of Music on the Graduate Student Advisory Council. Prior to attending UNCG, Mr. Wilson taught orchestra and music theory at the middle and high school levels in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was also conductor of the Sinfonia ensemble of the Youth Orchestra of Charlotte.
Mr. Wilson received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Mr. Wilson was the recipient of several scholarships while at Appalachian State University, such as the AppalPIE Partners in Education Scholarship and the Excellence in Student Teaching Scholarship. In 2017, Mr. Wilson was named Orchestra Director of the Year for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. He has been guest conductor and clinician of several honors orchestra events across North Carolina, and has been selected to serve as the clinician for the Western Region Honors Orchestra in 2023.
See what we do
Donate
The Lillian Rauch Beginning Strings Program is run through private donors. We are constantly seeking additional funding. If you are interested in contributing to the program, please contact Dr. Rebecca MacLeod, [email protected]. A little money can go a long way.
$25
$50
$100
$250
$400
$500
Will purchase books, rosin, and new strings.
Can supply a student with a new bow.
Funds an activity bus for one of our annual field trips
Purchases a violin for a student to use.
Purchases a cello for a student to use.
Will allow us to repair damaged or worn instruments in our inventory.
No contribution is too small. We also accept donations of instruments and other supplies.