Missouri String Project
The Missouri String Project has been a part of the Columbia community since 1973. The Project has a two-fold mission – to give young students the opportunity to study the violin, viola or cello, and to prepare University music students for their futures as public school and private teachers.
MU students serve as teachers and receive instruction and guidance from MU PhD Candidate in Music Education and the Director of MSP. 3rd-5th grade students receive instruction through group lessons and string orchestra rehearsals and perform concerts each semester. These students benefit from inexpensive yet extensive instruction from excited and energetic teachers, while teachers get invaluable hands-on teaching experience in a supervised atmosphere before they begin their work in the public schools or their own private teaching studios. Dozens of teachers from MSP have found the experience invaluable as they pursue a career in music and teaching. Hundreds of young students have begun their musical lives with MSP, and many still play today.
Students who want to continue their string practice that are considered 3rd year students are recommended to work with MOSY Prelude Strings. For more information, visit: https://themosy.org/join-the-conservatory/
Fall '25
Cost for all students: $250 per semester (due on Friday, September 5, 2025)
Payment: A link to pay online will be emailed to you within one week after an application is submitted. Only card payments through our online payment portal are accepted. No cash or checks!
FALL 2025 First Years TENTATIVE Schedule
*Monday Group Classes (4:10-5:00): Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, Dec. 1
*Wednesday Group Classes (4:10-5:00): Sept. 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19, Dec. 3
Friday String Orchestra (5:10-6:00): Sept. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Nov. 7, 14, 21, Dec. 5
SPRING 2026 First Years Schedule (no classes during spring break - March 21-30)
*Monday Group Classes (4:10-5:00): Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 31 Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28
*Wednesday Group Classes (4:10-5:00): Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5, 12, 19, Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Friday String Orchestra (5:10-6:00): Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar. 7, 14, Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2 (Dress Rehearsal)
*Students attend group class on either Monday or Wednesday and can pick their preference in the application.
Location:
- All group lessons take place in the Fine Arts Building: Violins, 145 & 146; Violas 148; Cellos 134
- String Orchestra on Friday's for first year students takes place in the Sinquefield Music Center, room 130
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FALL 2025 Second Years TENTATIVE Schedule
*Monday Group Classes (5:10-6:00): Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, Dec. 1
*Wednesday Group Classes (5:10-6:00): Sept. 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19, Dec. 3
Friday String Orchestra (5:10-6:00): Sept. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Nov. 7, 14, 21, Dec. 5
SPRING 2026 First Years Schedule (no classes during spring break - March 21-30)
*Monday Group Classes (5:10-6:00): Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 31 Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28
*Wednesday Group Classes (5:10-6:00): Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5, 12, 19, Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Friday String Orchestra (5:10-6:00): Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar. 7, 14, Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2 (Dress Rehearsal)
*Students attend group class on either Monday or Wednesday and can pick their preference in the application.
Location:
- All group lessons take place in the Fine Arts Building: Violins, 145 & 146; Violas 148; Cellos 134
- String Orchestra on Friday's for second year student takes place in the Sinquefield Music Center, room 132
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MSP Fall '25 Concert: Sunday, December 7, 2025 (time and location TBD)
Registration and payment deadline: Friday, September 5, 2025 (an invoice and payment link will be emailed to you). The cost for MSP beginning fall 2025 is $250 per student.
Top Notch Violins is the MSP rental partner.
The following link contains more information regarding their rental program including some sizing measurements for all our players: https://topnotchviolins.com/instrument-rentals/
Supplies needed:
- Your own rented/purchased instrument. Renting an instrument for use in the MSP is the responsibility of each individual student and parent. For your convenience, a representative from Top Notch Violins Shop is working with the MSP. They will be happy to service your rental/purchase needs at a very competitive rate. Their website is: topnotchviolins.com/st-louis-violin-rentals/. However, you may rent/buy your instrument and music from whomever you choose.
- Lesson book "Essential Elements Book 1,” also available through Top Notch Violin Shop.
- Music Stand, available from Top Notch
- Shoulder rest for violinists and violists, included in your rental.
- Lesson notebook and pencil, for teacher assignments and note-taking
*We keep our costs very low and are able to offer an outstanding fee. The Missouri String Project is self-supporting, and this fee pays our hard-working teachers. The MSP enrollment form and your payment will reserve a place for your child in the program – therefore fees are non-refundable.
In the event of inclement weather, the Missouri String Project/Missouri Youth Orchestra follows the Columbia Public Schools. For example, on dates where Columbia Public Schools are closed because of inclement weather the MSP/MYO will not hold rehearsals. All parents will be notified by email of any scheduling changes due to inclement weather. MSP/MYO will still meet on CPS teacher workdays.
Refund policy: In the event that MSP needs to transition to online classes/rehearsals, no refunds will be offered. The student will have the option to continue with online instruction or continue with MSP once in-person instruction resumes.
Email is the best way to reach us!
Missouri String Project Coordinator
mostring@missouri.edu
Community Programs Coordinator
Joanna Griffith
muasmusicoutreach@missouri.edu