Students audition for Oxford String Project

As the Oxford String Project kicks off, third and sixth graders waited patiently for their group to be called for auditions Monday afternoon.

The auditions took place at 4 p.m. in the music building on the Ole Miss campus and was led by Selim Giray, the director of orchestral studies. 

The Oxford String Project is part of the Oxford Children’s Choir, designed to teach string instruments in an enjoyable environment for kids. Students who are a part of the program receive basic musicianship skills, which will also enhance their ability to read, write, sing and harmonize to music.

“What’s interesting to me is that our age group is third through the sixth grade, and that is the perfect time to start a string instrument,” Giray said. “I don’t think there is such a thing as learning to play an instrument too early. That depends on the student and where they are.”

“This was never intended to be a competition,” Giray said. “Our goal is to enhance the string program here and enhance what’s already in place at the public schools.”