String Day
String Day is a dedicated afternoon for string players of every age and experience level at Powers Music School. The program combines practical instruction, creative music activities, technique-focused workshops, discussion with string educators, and a concluding all-play orchestra rehearsal and concert. Students can learn how to care for their instruments, improve their playing habits, perform for peers, and connect with a wider community of string musicians.
The day ends with a performance and raffle. Participants can earn raffle entries by attending workshops and taking part in the all-play, with prizes including concert tickets, a music-store gift card, faculty CDs, and a practice notebook.
When: Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Venue: Powers Music School, 160 Lexington Street, Belmont.
Tickets: Powers string students and faculty attend free. Non-Powers string students, teachers, and members of the general public pay a $25 fee, which includes all String Day activities and the All-Play concert.
Ages: Students of all ages are welcome. Children younger than 10 should attend with adult supervision. The program includes activities for beginners, intermediate and advanced players, and students preparing for MMEA District Festival auditions.
Schedule: From 1:00 to 1:55 p.m., participants may choose between Care and Repair with Spencer Brook Strings and the Interactive Music Ensemble. From 2:00 to 2:55 p.m., the choices are Posture Games, Viola Power Hour, Violin Masterclass, Multicelli, and the MMEA Mock District Audition. A faculty discussion and question-and-answer session with Belmont Public Schools string teacher Margot Reavey runs from 3:00 to 3:50 p.m. The All-Play String Orchestra rehearsal, concert, and raffle take place from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Workshops: Care and Repair, led by presenters from Spencer Brook Strings, introduces participants to proper instrument care and maintenance. The Interactive Music Ensemble with Rose Baker, Annierose Klingbeil, and Sue Rabut invites students to explore different ways of engaging with live music, including drawing, moving around the room, sitting close to the musicians, or simply listening.
Posture Games with Annierose Klingbeil uses playful exercises to develop alignment, bow hold, comfort, and healthy playing habits for violinists, violists, and cellists. Although listed in the beginner schedule, the activities are also described as useful for more experienced players.
Viola Power Hour with Emily Leaphart and the “viola power quartet” gives violists the chance to read and enjoy ensemble music together. The session grew out of a multigenerational viola group that began meeting at Powers in summer 2026.
Rose Baker’s Violin Masterclass offers intermediate and advanced violinists the opportunity to perform a piece and receive detailed feedback. Students may also attend as listeners and apply the discussion to their own playing.
Multicelli, led by Sarah Freiberg and Melody Giron, brings intermediate and advanced cellists together to play harmonized cello music. Music will be distributed at the start, so participants should be comfortable reading and playing at that level.
The MMEA Mock District Audition with Karl Orvik is intended for advanced string players preparing for a district audition during the academic year, particularly students seeking a place in the Northeastern district’s Senior Festival. Participants perform their repertoire before a small audience in a practice-audition setting. Enrollment is limited to 10 students.
Faculty discussion: Margot Reavey of the Belmont Public Schools joins Powers teachers Joshua Addison, Rose Baker, Sarah Freiberg, Annierose Klingbeil, Emily Leaphart, and Sue Rabut for a conversation about teaching and string-related topics. The session is open to students and parents, and light snacks will be provided.
All-Play: Karl Orvik leads the All-Play String Orchestra. Rehearsal runs from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m., followed by the performance and raffle drawing from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. All students gather to rehearse assigned pieces and then perform together.
All-Play music: The repertoire includes “Witches Dance,” “Adoration,” and “Spartacus.” Parts are organized by ability: Level A is for beginners and primarily uses open strings with occasional first-finger notes; Level B is intermediate and assumes basic knowledge of sharps and flats without shifting; and Level C is early advanced or advanced, with more melodic parts that generally require shifting and vibrato. Students should confirm the appropriate part with their teacher.
Raffle: Students can receive up to four entries, with one entry for each workshop attended and one additional entry for participating in the All-Play. The drawing takes place during the All-Play. Confirmed prizes include a $100 Johnson String Instrument gift card; two tickets to any concert in the season from Vivo Performing Arts, formerly Celebrity Series of Boston; two Boston Symphony Orchestra tickets; two tickets to selected Handel and Haydn concerts; CDs featuring Powers string faculty members Sue Rabut and Sarah Freiberg; and a “Practice Partner” lesson-assignment notebook by Powers string chair Karl Orvik.
Registration: Registration closes Thursday, November 5. The MMEA Mock District Audition is capped at 10 participants.
Questions: Contact Powers String Department Chair Karl Orvik at korvik@powersmusic.org.