SUMMER STRING FESTIVAL
Hillsdale County School of the Arts, Inc. is pleased to announce the 2023 Summer String Festival running July 24-August 4, 2023 at Davis Middle School in Hillsdale.
PARENTS, PLEASE NOTE: July 24-August 2 will be at Hillsdale High School instead of Davis Middle School.
PARENTS, PLEASE NOTE: July 24-August 2 will be at Hillsdale High School instead of Davis Middle School.
Summer String Festival Information
Summer String Festival is an intensive strings education program for youth in grades 1-12. Students who already play a string instrument can participate based on their experience level. Students in elementary school also have the opportunity to begin learning an instrument.
Meet Our Guest Artist: Hannah Holman

Cellist Hannah Holman has performed with the New York City Ballet Orchestra and is the principal cellist of the Quad City Symphony. She has also played with the English String Orchestra under Yehudi Menuhin, is an active chamber musician, has performed as a soloist with orchestras throughout the states, and a dedicated private teacher who has been on the music faculty a locations including University of Iowa, Worcester College (UK), Michigan State University Community School, and the International Cello Institute.
Thursday, August 3 at 7:00 pm
Ms. Holman will present a Guest Artist Recital with accompanist Katherine Rick, including classical ballet arrangements for solo cello and works by female composers.
Friday, August 4 at 7:00 pm
Ms. Holman will perform with Summer String Festival students on their final concert.
Both concerts will be at Davis Middle School Auditorium, 30 North West Street, Hillsdale, MI. Both concerts are free and open to the public.
Ms. Holman will present a Guest Artist Recital with accompanist Katherine Rick, including classical ballet arrangements for solo cello and works by female composers.
Friday, August 4 at 7:00 pm
Ms. Holman will perform with Summer String Festival students on their final concert.
Both concerts will be at Davis Middle School Auditorium, 30 North West Street, Hillsdale, MI. Both concerts are free and open to the public.
Beginning and Young Strings
he Beginning and Young Strings Session is a two week session for grades 1-6. Young Strings are students who already play a string instrument, but have little or no orchestral experience. Beginning Strings are students who have very little or no experience with a stringed instrument.
Download the letter and application information below.
Application deadline is June 1.
Download the letter and application information below.
Application deadline is June 1.
Intermediate & Advanced Strings
This one week session for intermediate and advanced students offers students a unique opportunity to improve their skills and to work with highly trained instructors and guest artists. String players in 6th-12th grade are eligible to participate. Students must have at least one year of ensemble experience and have note reading skills. Orchestra and small ensemble rehearsals are part of the daily activities, coached by String Festival staff and the guest artist.
Download the letter and application information below.
Application deadline was June 1.
Download the letter and application information below.
Application deadline was June 1.
Previous String Festival Guest Artists
2022 - Rick Robinson (aka "Mr. CutTime"), former bassist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and founder of CutTime Productions (https://cuttime.com/)
2021- Returning Guest Artists Violinist Gene Hahn and cellist Jeremy Crosmer of ESME https://www.facebook.com/esmelivemusic/
2019- Csaba Erdélyi, violist formerly with the Philharmonia Orchestra of London
2018 – Karin Loberg Code, hardingfele (Norwegian folk fiddle)
2017 – Violinist Gene Hahn and cellist Jeremy Crosmer of ESME https://www.facebook.com/esmelivemusic/
2016 – Aaron Johnson, string bass
2015 – Rachel Klaus, violinist with Detroit Symphony Orchestra
2021- Returning Guest Artists Violinist Gene Hahn and cellist Jeremy Crosmer of ESME https://www.facebook.com/esmelivemusic/
2019- Csaba Erdélyi, violist formerly with the Philharmonia Orchestra of London
2018 – Karin Loberg Code, hardingfele (Norwegian folk fiddle)
2017 – Violinist Gene Hahn and cellist Jeremy Crosmer of ESME https://www.facebook.com/esmelivemusic/
2016 – Aaron Johnson, string bass
2015 – Rachel Klaus, violinist with Detroit Symphony Orchestra
The 2022 Summer String Festival was supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council Minigrant Program, administered by the Arts Alliance.