Oldham County Strings

08/13/2026

New and returning students and families are invited to attend our String Open House Celebration!

At this meeting:
Learn about our programming.
Meet our string faculty.
Meet Matt Lane of Lane and Edwards Violins to discuss rental instruments.
Enjoy student and faculty performances.
And eat some sweet treats!

08/06/2026

Mr. Sam is at South Oldham Middle School Dragon Day plugging Oldham County's first "In School" Middle School String Class and Campus Strings.

08/04/2026

LaPS: Leadership & Performance for Strings (All ages, by audition)

Leadership and Performance for Strings (LaPS) provides unique opportunities to string players to develop their musical skills while growing as leaders and performers. Open by audition to all ages of violinists, violists, cellists, string bass players, and pianists.

Students in the Leadership and Performance project are offered weekly masterclasses, chamber music coaching, rehearsals with our staff accompanists, and many performance opportunities. Each year several Concerto Workshops give our students the incomparable experience of playing their solos with full orchestras. Seminars are also be offered in music theory, leadership in both orchestral and chamber music settings, and technique classes for each specific instrument. Recitals are open to all LaPS students to regularly perform their solos and chamber music.

Audition requirements: One piece of student’s choice that showcases their musical skills.

To request an audition: Email LaPS Director Brittany MacWilliams: [email protected]

Class meets Tuesdays 5:00-6:30 p.m. and selected Saturdays. Fall Semester begins August 31, 2026.

Annual Tuition: $950 (merit & need-based scholarships are generously available). $100 deposit due at registration. Payment may be made annually, or broken into quarterly payments. Tuition will be pro-rated for students joining the program later in the year.

LaPS is directed by Brittany MacWilliams, accomplished violin/viola professor and performer with over 20 years of teaching and international performing experience. Faculty: Brittany MacWilliams, Felix Borges, Alvin MacWilliams, Sam Meade

Questions? Email LaPS Director Brittany MacWilliams: [email protected] (For billing questions, please email Registrar Leslie Daland: [email protected])

https://www.ocsartscenter.org/fall-classes/music-classes

07/29/2026

07/28/2026

Beginning Strings offers a fun and supportive environment for students to learn the fundamentals of violin, viola or cello. Technique, music theory, ear training and good musicianship are taught through engaging exercises, activities and songs. Classes are offered at Oldham County Elementary Schools & at the Arts Center. Quarterly performance opportunities showcase and celebrate student progress. Graduates of the Beginning Strings program will be prepared to transition to the Campus Orchestra at their middle schools or Jr. Orchestra, Suzuki Strings or private lessons at the OCS Arts Center.

07/27/2026

Our Campus String program offers Oldham County Public School students in Grades 6-12 the opportunity to learn violin, viola, cello or upright bass, and play in a string ensemble after school. Classes meet two days per week during the school year at EOMS, NOMS, OCMS and SOMS. High school students attend the group at their closest middle school. Beginners are welcome, as well as experienced students seeking an ensemble opportunity. The Campus Orchestras serve as a preparatory program for students auditioning for the Creative and Performing Arts Academy (CAPAA) String Orchestra track in high school.

Registration opens August 3rd!

07/27/2026

Here is a snapshot of our final concert from our String and Piano Camp! We ended the week with performances from our Orchestras, Fiddle Class, Chamber Groups, and Orff Ensembles.

Our summer offerings are wrapping up with our final Summer All-County Concert this Tuesday at 6:30 in the Performance Hall- after that, stay tuned for our upcoming announcments for our Fall Programming!

07/23/2026

Our building is alive with the sound of strings! This week is the Oldham County Schools Arts Center String and Piano camp! The past four days have been filled with orchestra rehearsals, masterclasses, fiddle ensembles, chamber music, and student and faculty recitals. Tomorrow is our final concert for our program featuring three levels of string ensembles, Orff performances, and a fiddle feature. We are so proud of our students!