String Teacher Workshop 2026 — Event Guide
String Teacher Workshop
July 12–18, 2026
We look forward to welcoming you to String Teacher Workshop 2026 sponsored by the School of Music at The Ohio State University!
Below you will find final details, instructions and helpful tips. Study them carefully and reference them often prior to and during your visit.
Location:
The Ohio State University School of Music
Timashev Family Music Building
1900 College Rd. (across from the east end of the Oval)
Columbus, OH 43210
Times:
Workshop begins — Sunday, July 12 • 4 p.m.
Workshop ends — Saturday, July 18 • 12:30 p.m.
Tuition and Fees
All tuition and housing fees must be paid IN FULL prior to your arrival at the workshop.
Ohio State cannot accept any payments in person.
Payments can be made online at Stanton's Sheet Music or by calling Stanton’s Sheet Music directly at 614-224-4257 (ask for Liz).
Additional housing nights:
- $62/night — Single room
- $29/night — Double room
If you have not already coordinated an added night or have questions, email StringTeacherWorkshop@osu.edu.
Check-In — Sunday, July 12
Timashev Music Building Lobby
Check-in times: 2–4 p.m. or 8:45–9:15 p.m.
Remember: All fees must be paid prior to check-in.
What to bring on Sunday
- “My Favorite Orchestra” Reading Session Original Score and Parts
- Refer to the "My Favorite Orchestra" section below, for details.
- Conducting Labs Original Scores and Parts: Only for those participating in Conducting Lab.
- Refer to the "Conducting Labs" section below, for details.
- Gmail address for Google Classroom invite
- Refer to the "Gmail Address Needed" section below, for details.
- A string instrument to play: If you do not bring your own, we have loaner instruments available
- Optional: Your own device for note-taking.
What you’ll receive on Sunday
- Name tag
- Daily schedule
- Workshop binder for note-taking and all handouts
- T-shirt
- Directions to campus housing and additional parking, if needed
Airport and Airport Shuttle Transportation
When making flight arrangements, fly into the Columbus International Airport (CMH).
Taxis, Uber and Lyft are available from the Airport to campus. Follow signs from the baggage carousel to the “Rideshare” doors. Prices are approximately $30 one way. If you are staying in the dorms, request transportation to:
Bowen House
2125 N. Nigh Street
Columbus OH 43210
Visit Port Columbus (CMH).
If you are a commuter or a participant from out of town who will be parking your car on campus, please follow the instructions below. Parking on campus can be challenging and expensive if you don't plan ahead.
Option A: CampusParc Surface Lot Permits
These are the cheapest on-campus parking permits. They must be purchased in advance.
- Go to the CampusParc website. On the top right hand corner, click “Login” and then go to “Affiliate/Visitor.”
- If you do not already have a local account, click “Register.”
- Create a new account. Complete your username, password, and e-mail address.
- Complete new customer information.
- You will see a screen that gives you the option to "Add New Vehicle" or to "Buy Permit." Click on “Buy Permit.”
- Register your vehicle.
- Select permit: Choose "Short Term – Day Pass – Surface Day Pass" = $11.50/day
- Select the dates for your pass. The workshop runs from Sun., July 12–Sat., July 18.
- Select your vehicle.
- Verify your address.
- Check out by confirming the dates and clicking “Pay Now.”
- Your parking pass will be monitored by your licence plate. You do not have to print anything.
- Visit CampusParc—Visitor Parking for more details.
- Visit the SureParc Finder to locate open surface lot parking. Your surface lot day pass works in any Unrestricted A, B or C parking spot on campus. There is often plenty of parking available by St. John’s Arena, but you may find spots closer.
Option B: Parking Garages
Two parking garages are within very close walking distance of the Timashev Music Building. Rates are hourly up to $19.25/daily maximum. You may not park overnight in a garage.
- Ohio Union South Garage — 1759 North High Street, Columbus, 43210
- Arps Parking Garage — 1990 College Road, Columbus, 43210
- Note that the entrance is actually around the corner on 18th Ave.
- This is the closest garage to the School of Music.
Directions and Parking for School of Music guests
Option C (Gamble option): Off-Campus Parking
IF you are familiar with the off-campus (east of High Street) area, you may be able to find free parking on Woodruff Ave. and select other streets. However, some areas are permit parking, have street cleaning select days of the week, and are not secure. Park here at your own risk.
Residence Hall
Bowen House
2125 N. Nigh Street
Columbus OH 43210
Parking for dorm arrival/unloading (not overnight): Metered/Pay-by-Plate parking is available across High St. Please be mindful that parking is very limited around the dorm area. You may need to park in a surface lot, then walk to the dorm with your luggage. See “Parking at Ohio State” for more information.
Check-in/Check-out times
Check-in time: Sunday, July 12 between 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Check-out time: Saturday, July 18 between 6:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Upon checkout, please bring pillows and linens down from your room and turn them in to the front desk.
Return your key card upon departure.
Additional Information
ADA Accommodations: We will provide rooms that are ADA Accessible. Please email StringTeacherWorkshop@osu.edu immediately if you need accommodations.
Guest Room Amenities: Each guest room has a microwave and mini-fridge included.
Toiletries: We do not provide toiletries beyond toilet paper. Additional toilet paper can be requested at the front desk.
Linens: You will receive two flat sheets, one blanket, one pillow and pillowcase, one wash cloth, one hand towel, and one bath towel.
Laundry: Laundry is free in the residence halls. Detergent is not provided.
Mail and Packages: Guests are not eligible for mail and package service during this week.
Community Kitchens: Bowen House contains a full-sized community kitchen. The community kitchen contains a full-sized fridge and stovetop/oven. It is shared with other guests in the building. There are no pots, pans, or utensils.
Dining Hall: Guests do not need to swipe for meals at the dining hall. Go to the cashier stand and tell them you are with the “String Teacher Workshop,” and they will let you in to eat.
Graduate Credit
Enrollment for Graduate Credit should have been completed by Monday, June 15.
If you are receiving graduate credit, follow the instructions provided here. If you have any questions, please email stringteacherworkshop@osu.edu.
Those receiving graduate credit for the workshop are required to:
- Attend all workshop sessions
- Choose one session to attend when there are multiple sessions offered at the same time.
- Write a 2-page paper summarizing some of the ideas presented at the workshop that you would like to practically implement in your string/orchestra teaching job.
Please email your final paper to Dr. Heather Lofdahl at lofdahl.2@osu.edu no later than Friday, July 24 at 11:59 p.m.
Continuing Education Units (4.5 CEU credits)
Those receiving CEU credit for the workshop are required to:
- Attend all workshop sessions, and
- Keep track of your attendance and participation using the CEU Checklist.
- Choose one session to attend when there are multiple sessions offered at the same time.
You will be required to keep track of your attendance via the Workshop CEU Checklist which will be shared with you as a Google Sheets document that can be completed online. Hard copies of the CEU Checklist will be available upon request.
Please submit your CEU Checklist by Friday, July 24 at 11:59 p.m.
Conducting Laboratories
The purpose of these four conducting labs is for workshop participants to receive two (2) 20-minute lessons with Professor Rotem Weinberg while conducting a lab orchestra.
- The conducting sessions will be limited to six participants electing to participate, on a first-come/first-served basis.
- All workshop participants are invited to play in the lab orchestra.
Each session will include exercises to overcome common problems in conducting public school orchestras. Skills addressed will include preparatory gestures, staccato and legato styles, formats, cueing, cutoffs, use of the left hand; and changes in tempos, meters, and styles. Bring a baton if you use one on a regular basis as part of your conducting.
Conducting participants must bring two scores (at least one must be an original score) and a set C of parts of one or two pieces they would like to use to work on their own conducting. Repertoire should be a Grade Level 2 or higher. Each session will be sorted by repertoire ability.
Conducting participants will receive two video recordings of their lab demonstrations. Staff can record directly onto participant phone/device OR the participant should have an accessible Google Drive account to which we can send your video.
Secondary Instrument Classes
The primary purpose of the secondary instrument classes is to develop and refine playing skills on string instruments other than your principal performing instrument. The secondary class teachers will introduce teaching strategies and help you to develop your playing skills.
Feel free to change classes from one day to the next, though most people find they learn best by staying in the same classes for the week.
There are three levels of secondary teaching classes:
Level 1 — Beginner
Designed for those who have minimal or no skills at all on the instrument, and for those who teach beginning strings. Sessions will include playing and teaching strategies for the beginner, including bow hand shape, instrument position, detaché stroke, left hand shape, and first-position playing.
Level 2 — Intermediate
Designed for those who teach middle school and high school strings. Topics such as teaching and refining the detaché stroke, refining staccato, beginning spiccato, shifting, and vibrato will be included.
New-to-Strings Track
Designed for those who primarily teach band, choir or general music, and will now be teaching orchestra. Sessions will include playing and teaching strategies for the beginner, including bow hand shape, instrument position, detaché stroke, left hand shape, first-position playing, as well as strategies for teaching intermediate or advanced students at a middle school or high school level.
"My Favorite Orchestra" Reading Sessions
One session at the workshop will be devoted to reading your favorite school orchestra literature.
All workshop participants should bring one of your favorite string orchestra pieces for teaching (score and a standard Set C: 8-8-5-5-5).
You will have an opportunity to briefly describe reasons for your selection, and to conduct 1–2 minutes of the piece (because we want to read as many different pieces as possible).
- Be prepared to share a 30-second description of your piece i.e. positions, level of difficulty, special techniques needed, etc.
- Have your two-minute passage selected ahead of time.
- Please bring the parts to your piece to turn in at workshop check-in on Sunday, July 12.
- You will be responsible for conducting. Be sure your music is labeled with your name and your school name.
- The session will move through the pieces by increasing grade level (1–5).
Instrument(s)
You may bring your own instrument(s) or you may use those that belong to Ohio State or local school districts.
The university instruments may be checked out on Sunday afternoon. You are responsible for returning any instruments and accessories on Friday, July 17 by 5 p.m.
We will discuss instrument-use expectations on Sunday evening during the Workshop Welcome.
Building Temperature
Classrooms and the auditorium can be cold, depending on the air conditioning.
Plan accordingly — bring a sweater or sweatshirt to stay comfortable throughout the day.
Workshop Dinner
Food with laughs and door prizes, too!
Join us for fun and professional fellowship at our very special workshop dinner at Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Banquet Center on Friday evening. We will discuss this during the early part of the workshop. The cost of the dinner, including gratuity, will be $25.
Transportation will be provided.
Dinner payment must be made to Ohio State by Wed., July 15 to reserve your seat.
Payment will be made via cash or a check made out to The Ohio State University. Be prepared to pay with one of these methods at the workshop.
Devices
You are encouraged to bring your own device that is large enough for reading music (a tablet, laptop, etc.). You will have electronic access to all handouts and workshop materials each day.
You will also receive a hard copy of our workshop binder with our schedule and session handouts when you arrive on Sunday.
Outdoor Concert
On Friday, July 17, our workshop orchestra will perform an impromptu outdoor concert on campus. This is a fun way to make music with other teachers and to celebrate a great week of learning. Our rain location will be Weigel Auditorium.
Please plan to wear your STW T-shirt that you receive at check-in on Sunday.
Every workshop participant will have access to our workshop Google Classroom through an invite to their personal Gmail account. Videos from the workshop and handouts will be posted there. You will have access to this content through December 31, 2026.
School or professional gmail addresses will not work for this use.
CEU participants are required to join Google Classroom for attendance purposes.
If you did not provide your personal Gmail account during your online registration, please provide your Gmail address to workshop administration by Sunday, or create a Gmail account here.
Event Images
Photos and/or video will be taken at this event and may appear in The Ohio State University marketing materials. By attending this event, you hereby authorize the university to use your image in any and all use related to the educational mission of the university without compensation.
Please email StringTeacherWorkshop@osu.edu if you wish to attend but not have your image used in this way.
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