The Ogden City Arts Advisory Committee is a group of local artists and residents that focuses on all things art happening in the city. The group’s members work as liaisons between artists and Ogden City to ensure art remains a vital part of the city. Wes Whitby is Treehouse Museum’s programs manager and a member of the committee.

“Beethoven is my favorite!” declared a 5-year-old named Makayla last Friday night as several teachers and members of the Weber State University String Project performed at Treehouse Museum.

They were there as a part of the museum’s weekly “Alphabet Soup Program,” playing pieces both canon and popular. The audience heard a choice bit of “Frozen” on the cello, a little of a “Lion King” love song and of course, some of the classical catalogue in a bit of Beethoven. “She loves this kind of stuff,” said Makayla’s mother. So do I, but it was delightful to hear Makayla voice it so vehemently.

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And she wasn’t alone. Families in the audience enjoyed short demonstrations by practitioners of each of the attending instruments. Violin, viola, two sizes of cello and a guitar all had their spotlight moments — alone and in ensemble. And the musicians weren’t only adults but also some of the students as well.

“I think it’s very important for children to see other children play,” said Stephanie Strait, one of the project administrators and conductors of the affiliated Ogden Youth Symphony. Right?! The youngest attending violinist was only 9, and my own fourth grader, Lucy, was very keen on seeing what this guy could do. There was more than a little, “If he can do it, so could I,” going on there.

But the very best part of the show for me was the part that came after the presentation: an orchestra petting zoo.

Following the performance, each audience member was given a chance to handle, play and otherwise experience the instruments up-close. Kids and adults alike were keen to grapple with the guitars and to chance the cellos.

“The cello is my favorite!”

O.K., this time I said it, and it’s true. But instruments like these are big and intimidating and impressive and expensive, and how often does a kid (even an experienced kid like me) have a chance or a reason to get one in his/her hands?

Giving local young people that chance and that reason is kind of the idea behind the Weber State University String Project. Formally, when they aren’t entertaining and demonstrating for audiences like Treehouse’s, the project offers affordable instruction in classes on campus and at several local schools. The goal is to expand access and opportunities for local young people to learn to play and perform with a stringed instrument.

Under the direction of the university’s director of orchestral studies, Francisco de Galvez, and as supervised by a master teacher, the String Project likewise provides an opportunity for young string educators to gain experience as well, teaching classes in a supervised and organized program before beginning their own formal careers.

Current Master Teacher Gabrielle Cox oversees, trains and encourages the program’s instructors to help them become successful in both the string project and in their future professions as teachers of music. Having played since she was 8 years old, she knows a little something about the value of starting young and has been an “active participant of Weber State’s String Project” since it was started by Michael Palumbo in 1998. As both a Weber State graduate and full-time orchestra teacher in the Davis School District, Cox really knows what it takes to successfully teach young musicians.

Gabrielle enthusiastically demonstrated her experience as she led the music and the question and answer session at Treehouse on Friday night. It was easy to see — based on the reactions of Makayla and Lucy the other young folks in attendance — how students in the classroom setting would be inspired by these passionate musicians.

“It’s the kind of thing I want my children to be a part of,” said one father of four. “I had no idea (the program existed). I’m glad Ogden has something like this.”

And that was precisely Treehouse’s point in inviting the String Project to visit the museum when we did. Though I am really excited to be inviting them back a few more times this year, we really wanted to get them here while there was still a chance to get the word out and to get new students involved.

With this in mind, for a parent like me the question becomes, “What are the strings attached to this project, and how can I get my aspiring instrumentalists involved?”

The most immediate answer is that the Weber State University String Project will be holding an Info Meeting/Orientation at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.13, at Weber State University’s Browning Center, 1901 University Circle, Room 133. Final registration is required by the first day of class Monday, Sept. 18. 

The program typically attracts and accepts students who are between grades three and 12. They can be of any skill level, as there are classes at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Classes are taught twice a week, and students at higher levels can audition for the affiliated Ogden Youth Symphony.

The String Project also offers options for private lessons.

More information about both the meeting and the program can be found on Weber State University’s website.

For both my sake and my new friend Makayla’s, I hope they are willing to bring us a bit more Beethoven soon. And next time they come to Treehouse, I’m going to try the viola.

The viola is my favorite!