Thank you for making the Faculty Recital and Fundraiser for the Dorothy Kitchen Scholarship Fund a success. With your help we raised over $900 for students in financial need! If you were unable to come but would like to contribute to help more families in our community have access to excellent music education, please donate here… read more about Photos from Vivaldi Four Seasons Faculty Recital »
Duke student Keyin Lu authored an article titled "Duke University String School celebrates over 50 years of music education" in the Duke Chronicle this week. Check it out HERE! read more about DUSS Featured in Duke Chronicle »
DUSS is on winter break and will resume the week of January 8, 2018. First ensemble rehearsals will take place Saturday, January 13th. The next performance will be the Four Seasons Faculty Recital on January 27th @4pm. Highlights from this semester include: 50th Anniversary Concert with Founder Dorothy Kitchen Present, all ensembles playing Orange Blossom Special, Hal Grossman's "All gain, no pain!" workshop for musicians, and four Solo Recitals with a backdrop of snow. Happy holidays from all of us at… read more about String School on Break- Resumes January 8 »
Due to questionable weather conditions, all ensemble rehearsals (Orchestras and Violin and Cello choirs) and Theory classes are canceled. Please check with private lesson and chamber group teachers to see if they are holding normal lessons and coachings. As weather is looking better than expected, Solo Recitals will continue as scheduled @ 2:45, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00pm. All families with students performing in the Solo Recitals who do not have good driving conditions are excused from the solo recital. … read more about 12/9 Rehearsals Canceled- Solo Recitals as scheduled »
We would like to congratulate all students on their wonderful performances during the 2017 Concerto Competition. Everyone's hard work and dedication were evident. Concerto Competition Winners to perform with the DUSS Youth Symphony as soloists on Sunday, March 4th, 2018 at 6:30pm in Baldwin Auditorium: - Tim Rinehart, Dragonetti Double Bass Concerto in A Major, I. Allegro moderato - Neha Vangipurapu, Wieniawski Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, I. Allegro moderato Concerto Competition Winner to perform… read more about 2017 Concerto Competition Winners Announced! »
We have an exciting line up for Workshops and Master Classes to celebrate 50 years! October 7th- Hal Grossman No Pain All Gain Workshop: Internationally acclaimed, the No Pain, ALL GAIN: a Healthy Way to Stretch and Play workshop takes participants through a series of stretches and breathing exercises specifically designed for musicians to help alleviate muscle tension and help prevent tendonitis, shaky bow arms for string players, and racing heart rates. Techniques for relaxation, concentration and focus are… read more about 50th Anniversary Workshops and Master Classes »
Dear DUSS families, We are excited to announce that our Fall Semester and our 50th Anniversary Year are just around the corner! This post has lots of announcements about registration, auditions, and orientation. Be sure to read all the way through! Orientation: Saturday, August 26th at 2 PM, Nelson Music Room in the East Duke Building. Please note the location! Meet old and new teachers; learn about ensembles and classes -- including Theory, Viola for Violinists, Master Classes;… read more about Fall Registration Open! Details here »
Auditions are for students new to DUSS ensembles, students wishing to move up ensembles, violin students wishing to move from 2nd violin to 1st violin within their current orchestra, and students wishing to be a leader in all sections of ISO, CSO or YS. Students auditioning for ensembles should prepare an audition based on the guidelines listed on the webpage for each ensemble: http://stringschool.duke.edu/groups/ensembles. This is generally a scale, prepared solo piece, and sight-reading… read more about Audition info for 2017-18 »
Our summer camp came to an end this past weekend with a fabulous concert. We had 43 campers, a record number of cellists, 8 fantastic teen volunteers, and of course, our own wonderful teachers. Several parent volunteers kept the camp fed and hydrated, and assisted campers and teachers throughout the day. We were also happy to welcome 5 students from Kidznotes to DUSS! Every day was full of music and fun, and the success of the inspiring concert on Saturday reflected a lot of hard work all around.… read more about 2017 Summer Camp a Success! »
See attached file for important dates for the 2017 - 2018 year! Download(s): ImportantDates2017-2018.pdf read more about Important Dates for 2017-2018 »
Summer Camp Dates: Monday, July 17 - Saturday July 22nd. Registration is open now! Register for DUSS 2017 Summer Camp HERE. Questions? Please email Katharine Whitmore. read more about Summer Camp Registration Open »
Faculty Recital! Saturday, January 28th, 4 PM in the Nelson Music Room. Free admission: all donations will benefit the Dorothy Kitchen Scholarship Fund. read more about Faculty Recital »
Concert Dates: Spring Semester 2017 Saturday, March 4, 2017, 4 PM: Beginner Groups and Violin/Cello Choirs, Nelson Music Room Sunday, March 5, 2017, 6:30 PM: YS, CSO, ISO, Baldwin Auditorium Saturday, March 18th, 2017, 3,4,5,7 PM: Solo Recitals, Nelson Music Room Saturday, April 22, 2017, 7 PM: Chamber Music, Nelson Music Room Saturday, April 29, 2017, 4 PM: Beginner Groups and Violin/Cello Choirs, Nelson Music Room Sunday, May 7,… read more about Concert Dates: Spring Semester 2017 »
Our Concerto Competition took place on Saturday Dec 10th, a program of well prepared and beautifully played music. We are proud to announce the results: Concerto Competition Winners will perform as soloists with the DUSS Youth Symphony on Sunday, March 5th, 2017 at 6:30pm in Baldwin Auditorium: Jane Parris, Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E Minor, op. 64, I. Allegro molto appassionato Nicholas Woodrum, Kabalevsky Violin Concerto in C Major op.… read more about Concerto Competition Winners »
Spring Semester began January 9, 2017 and runs through May 7th. There are no rehearsals and classes on April 15th. read more about Spring Semester Begins »
Erica Shirts, Director of the DUSS since August, 2015, was interviewed on WCPE's November 22, 2015 “Preview!” show. The Classical Station's show features the latest in classical recordings and upcoming classical events. Listen to the interview here read more about Erica Shirts on WCPE's "Preview!" »
Our director Erica Shirts is featured in a Duke Todayarticle: http://today.duke.edu/2015/09/erica read more about Erica Shirts featured in a Duke Today »
Duke Medicine Orchestra Symposium:Prescription Music: A Concerted Effort to Bridge the Gap between the Arts and Medicine The Duke Medicine Orchestra presents a symposium on Saturday, November 8 from 6:30 - 9:00 pm to celebrate Arts & Health Month. Lisa Wong, MD, a nationally recognized musician, physician, and arts educator will deliver a keynote address, titled "Prescription Music: A Concerted Effort to Bridge the Gap between the Arts and Medicine". The symposium will also… read more about Duke Medicine Orchestra Symposium: Prescription Music »
Beautiful review of our April 26, 2014 concert, in which we celebrated the 48 years of leadership under our director and founder, Mrs Dorothy Kitchen: http://cvnc.org/article.cfm?articleId=6812 read more about Concert Review »
Mrs. Kitchen is featured in April 24, 2014 edition of Duke Today. read more about Mrs. Kitchen featured in Duke Today »
DUSS on the air! In late 2013 Mrs Kitchen was interviewed by Lee Anne McClymont for the WCOM FM "Courage Cocktail Radio Show". The following link is the entire show and includes soloists Julia Ilana and Greg Scurtu's solos from March 2013 and our orchestra playing a movement of Brahms #4. It's a beautiful tribute to our program. Click here for a special treat! What does it take to lead a fulfilling life? Duke Todayasked faculty, staff and alumni to share advice with… read more about DUSS on the air! »
Mrs Kitchen is the author of this article on the need for classical music & it's effect on learning, personal development & achievement: note especially the last paragraph: http://cvnc.org/article.cfm?articleId=4126 read more about On the Need for Classical Music »