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Summer Strings 2026 — Day Program

Monday–Friday, June 15–19 and 22–26

  • Student/Parent Orientation, 8:30 a.m., June 15

  • Mornings only, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.


Steinbrenner Band Center | Ohio Stadium

Summer Strings offers two weeks of motivational hands-on training in technique and aural skill development, participation in chamber music ensembles, and large orchestra rehearsals in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere. While this workshop is designed to meet the needs of students from various training styles, all students should have at least one year of playing experience. 

All students participate in both weeks of the workshop.

Heather Lofdahl

Program director
Professor Heather Lofdahl

ELIGIBILITY — For students entering grades 4–9 in the 2026–2027 school year, with at least one year of playing experience.

Ability level: This program is designed to meet the needs of students with different string training backgrounds (Suzuki, school orchestra, private lessons, other ensembles). Participants will be placed into technique classes and orchestras based on years of experience and skill level.

MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT — 75

FEES  — $425 (includes T-shirt and morning snack. No lunch)

Registration

Registration deadline — Tuesday, May 26

STEP 1— You will be required to make payment via credit card at the time of registration. Shortly after submitting payment, you will receive an email confirming the transaction. 

Registration will open here on February 1.

NOTE — The registration/payment form works best on a computer (PC or Mac).
MAC USERS — use Chrome, not Safari.

STEP 2 — Permission forms. 3–5 days after you register and pay, parents/guardians and participants will receive permission forms via DocuSign shortly after registration is complete. All forms must be returned by the DocuSign deadline in order to participate.

STEP 3 — Submit a video.

All students are accepted to camp. This audition video is used solely to form orchestras and chamber groups of similar playing levels for a meaningful and fun musical experience.

By Sunday, May 31, students are asked to submit an audition video of 1 to 3 minutes in length. You can do this with your smartphone.

For your audition video, please play the following two things:

  1. A major scale and arpeggio of your choice
  2. A musical selection of your choice (this could be a solo piece, an etude, and exercise from your method book, or orchestra music)

Create and submit your video:

  • Step 1 — Record your video.
  • Step 2 — Post your audition as an UNLISTED VIDEO on YouTube (instructions below), or upload to a file-sharing platform such as OneDrive or DropBox.
  • Step 3 — Send an email to Professor Heather Lofdahl at lofdahl.2@osu.edu with the link to your video file. Be sure to include your full name in your email so that we can match it with your registration submission.

Need help? These instructional videos can help with this process:

Video submission deadline: Sunday, May 31

Questions? Email Professor Heather Lofdahl at lofdahl.2@osu.edu 

Highlights

  • Instrument-specific technique development and creative ear training designed for different experience levels
  • Daily small-group chamber ensemble coaching
  • Orchestras grouped by skill level
  • Large teaching staff allowing for more individualized instruction
  • Opportunity to play with other string students from central Ohio

Daily Schedule

  • Short student/parent orientation session on Monday, June 15 at 8:30 a.m.
  • Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–12 noon. The daily schedule is firm. We are unable to provide supervision prior to or after the program ends each day.
  • Finale concert will be held in Weigel Auditorium in the Timashev Family Music Building (date/time TBA).

What's Next?

  • Approximately one week before the program, participants and parents/guardians will receive an email with basic information about what to pack, arrival, parking, and check-in, as well as a Digital Handbook with important information for a successful experience. 

Questions?