Hello everyone,

As always, we hope for the continued health of all of our students and their families. Thank you

so much for those who responded to our survey. Your input was valuable in helping us to create

options for our young people and adult students.

In all that we do, know that the goal is for the String Project to remain viable during these trying

times.

Virtual or Hybrid Option (combination of Virtual and Face-to-Face)

• Virtual – Instructors will deliver instruction to private students via an online platform.

Classes and orchestra will be live-streamed. The streaming options for group classes

and orchestra classes will be on Zoom or YouTube Live and we will have a teachers’

assistant available to answer questions. That should provide more interaction than we

had in the spring.

• Hybrid – Students will take part of their instruction on site at USC in the String Project

building, and part virtually. The schedule is dependent upon the numbers of students

enrolled.

to our teachers who will keep teaching, regardless of any change. I assure you, online

instruction is much more time intensive than in person.

• If you choose the hybrid model and decide to revert to virtual, you may do so anytime

by contacting [email protected].

• If you choose virtual, however, you will not be able to change to face-to-face because of

the need to limit numbers in the building.

Beginning classes for both children and adults will be virtual only. We will have a combination

Liability Waivers

I have attached the liability waivers (Virtual Release and COVID waiver) that the University of

South Carolina is requiring both adult students and parents of students under 18 to sign in

order for participation in the University of South Carolina String Project. Your registration will

be void without the liability waiver for either model.

Columbia, SC 29208

• If you select the hybrid model (virtual and some face-to-face), you need to return both

waivers (the virtual release and the COVID waivers). If you are selecting virtual, you

need send only the form for virtual release.

• The forms are different for children and adults.

• To reiterate, for this semester, once you choose virtual, we ask that you remain in that

mode for the entire fall semester for our planning purposes.

Procedures & Expectations for On-site Classes

Entering building

but will leave their classes by the exits that are in each room. We will inform you of

room assignments when registration is complete.

• As indicated on the COVID liability form, we cannot lend instruments or music. Students

must remember their materials.

Classrooms

discussion in the music education community on this issue. You may click on the

hyperlink to read more, if you wish.

• Students will wipe down chairs and stands at the close of class or rehearsal.

Lessons

• We have vinyl shields (Clear marine grade vinyl) in studios, placed at a diagonal so the

teacher is on one side and the student can enter the room without crossing paths.

Safety Measures & Hygiene Supplies

• Please send 2 sanitizing wipes with your child (or yourself) each time they come to the

Health Check

• We require families/adult students to complete the following form by Sunday of each

week: https://tinyurl.com/SPHealthCheck

• For the safety of all, we will be relying on you to not send children or yourself with any

of the symptoms of Covid-19. (Fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc).

Full disclosure

The building is being used by other School of Music faculty/students during the day to alleviate

crowding in the main building. Appropriate measures are in place, but we believe you need to

Action Needed

1. Register: http://tinyurl.com/StringProjectRegistration

2. Each student will need a $20 Smart Music license You will purchase this at the same

time as making payment online. The license will work for lessons or classes plus

orchestra, but they are assigned to a unique email address.

3. Sign and send the liability waiver via email or USPS.

4. The parking passes are available and because of the ‘current situation’, we are able to

offer for $25 each semester. Because of the already greatly reduced price, there can be

no refunds. You can, of course, wait to order closer to the start of the semester.

Classroom, Flipgrid, Soundtrap, Peardeck, Ed Puzzle, and Kahoot to name a few).

• We will do our best not to overwhelm families and students, but those who enroll will

need access to adequate technology and internet speeds, both for the hybrid and virtual

options.

We have set a registration due date of August 21st so we can inform you of times, teachers,

groupings for classes and orchestras and room numbers at the webinar for returning students.

Calendar

August 27 Returning students webinar (in lieu of Open House) 6:30 p.m.

September 1 Private Lessons begin

September 1 Beginning student webinar 6:30 p.m.

September 8 Classes begin

September 10 Orchestras begin

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. These are difficult times, but nothing