COVID 19 UPDATE
For the most up to date information go here.  

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Why join StringWizards?
First and foremost because it's fun.  Ask around, or come by for yourself.  .


What is the Commitment?
        After school activities are a big part of high school, and we encourage your interest in all things after-school, and not just us.  We ask for about a 30% slice of your after-school hours when you actively participate with us.   Meeting are generally only twice a week for about 90 minutes after school, with several intentional pauses around holidays and test times.  

       
Can I get service hours credit for StringWizards?
In most cases, yes, with personal approval from both Mr. Miles and from Mission and Formation.  SW is a recognized service organization. 

 Is violin repair a recognized trade?
       Minnesota State offers a two semester repair program for about $8000 with $1200 in additional fees and equipment purchases.  StringWizards is currently tuition free.    http://www.redwingmusicrepair.org/violin/craft.html  

       

StringWizards was not designed to provide career violin repair training.  We are similar to a project based survey course in violin repair. 
 
 

What is Non Profit Management?
     The StringWizards' structure closely resembles a night school MBA program for working adults.  StringWizards uses the engaged learning pedagogy as practiced at the Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago. 

 

Along with your shop floor responsibilities, you will also:

• manage your own training records,

• maintain repair logs and prepare invoices 

• maintain shop inventories, and

• manage a portion of normal business correspondence. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Additional music student opportunities
If you play a violin, viola, cello, or bass, this is an exceptional learning opportunity

 

• Greatly improved ability to judge construction quality

• Identify flaws at a glance, and estimate repair costs

• Move a sound post with confidence, and understand its proper placement

• Clean, restring and adjust any bowed orchestra instrument on you own. 

• Learn more on career expenses of a musician.    (Takes you off site).

 

Bow Restoration: 

The shop has the necessary tools and supplies to engage in rehair operations, but we are not presently doing re-hairs. 

Are there student fees?
There is no tuition and there are no fees.   

Shop safety (Non Covid) 
     Shop tasks include exposure to consumer grade cleaners and degreasers like Simple Green and solvents like denatured alcohol or xylene and various mastics and epoxies.  We all will wear vinyl gloves and cloth aprons around chemicals and leather gloves and leather aprons when working with professional grade luthier hand tools that are honed in the shop to a razor sharp edge. 

Why is music education important?
Educators have discovered that music lessons and discerned-listening have a profound impact on brain development, especially for poverty population children.  Sound discernment activity advances brain function.  Dr. Nina Kraus, who heads the neuroscience research lab at Northwestern Med School explains her findings in this brief video lecture.
 
Why do orchestras cut corners on maintenance?
The minimum cost for an entry-level violin with case and bow is about $300.  It is fragile and requires periodic adjustment if learning goals are to be met.   Each year the strings need to be replaced and the bow re-haired.  If you had a 35 piece string section, you would need StringWizards or about $5000.    

 

With your help, a North Lawndale orchestra can sound and perform like one in Hyde Park.  It is called "service to others," a specialty at St. Ignatius.