After-school string program to start

After-School Strings, sponsored by Sweetwater Board of Cooperative Educational Services, a weekly group string program for Sweetwater County children third grade and up, interested in playing the violin, viola, or cello, will begin again this fall.

Weekly group lessons may be scheduled by contacting Sarah Wessel at 389-8815, Marcia Petersen of Green River, or Sweetwater BOCES at 382-1607.

There is a $20 per semester registration fee as well as the purchase of a practice book, made available locally. Registration scholarships through SBOCES are available for students on free or reduced lunch.

Teaching these lessons again this year will be Petersen, with violin students; Max Lockett, cello; and Wessel on violin, viola and cello.

Petersen of Green River, is a graduate of the University of Hawaii and began her string career with the Honolulu Junior Orchestra.

She is a member of the Wyoming Symphony, and the Sweetwater County Community Orchestra. She works with her husband in their family business, and is a substitute teacher for the Sweetwater County School District No. 2. She has taught string instruction with the After-School Strings program in Rock Springs since its beginning. She plays first and second violin with the SBOCES Community Orchestra.

Wessel is a former music Instructor for the Sweetwater County School District since 1976. She has a masters degree in Music Education; and is a member of the Sweetwater BOCES Community Orchestra.

She was the founder of the After-School Strings Program and was the string ensemble instructor at White Mountain Junior High School, now known as the Rock Springs Junior High School. She has performed throughout the community in violin, viola and in cello.

Lockett currently teaches elementary education in Rock Springs and conducts cello lessons after school with children and adults. He began his studies in Billings, Mont., where he also played in the Billings Community Orchestra for four years. Lockett is principle cellist for the Sweetwater BOCES Community Orchestra.

For further information and scheduling of classes, contact Wessel at 389-8815 or Petersen.