Adult Strings Spring Concert: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 @ 7:30PM
The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Symphony School is proud to offer Adult Strings lessons for musicians of all skill levels! These classes are taught by the Symphony School’s professional instructors. The environment of our Adult Strings Classes is laid back and friendly. We want you to have fun while receiving high-quality instruction!
Our Spring Classes Broken Down by Skill-Level
This course is designed for adults ages 18 – 180 who want the opportunity to learn to play the violin, viola, cello, or double bass. No previous experience is necessary!
Students will be taught the fundamental skills necessary to play their instrument as well as the basics of note reading and musicianship. In this ensemble students will learn how to watch a conductor, watch their section leaders for bow direction and bow placement, blend their sound with a section, listen to fellow orchestra members in other sections, and much more.
Students must provide their own instruments and stands.
- Mondays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Drew Sarette, instructor
- Fee: $175
- Scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12, 2026.
- Location: AB Stephens, 2828 Drake Ave. SW, Huntsville AL 35805
This course is designed for adults who have had at least one year playing experience on the violin, viola, cello, or double bass or who have taken the Beginning String Class.
Students continue to develop their technical and note reading skills with more difficult music. This orchestra can also be used as a refresher course for those adults who played a stringed instrument in their youth and want to pick it back up again.
Students must provide their own instruments and stands.
- Mondays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Bethany Wing, instructor
- Fee: $175
- Scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12, 2026.
- Location: AB Stephens, 2828 Drake Ave. SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
This course is designed for those adults who have at least two years’ playing and music-reading experience on the violin, viola, cello or double bass or who have taken the HSO Intermediate String Class.
Students will continue to advance their technical skills on their instrument while learning to read more advanced music.
Students must provide their own instruments and stands.
- Mondays, 6:45-8:00 p.m.
- Bethany Wing, instructor
- Fee: $185
- Scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12, 2026.
- Location: AB Stephens, 2828 Drake Ave. SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
Horizon is HSO’s most advanced string orchestra, designed for adult players with at least three years of playing and music reading experience.
Students perform literature from several periods of music. String players ready for this ensemble should be comfortable reading medium to advanced rhythms, be consistently working on playing in 3rd position, be comfortable following bow directions on music, and have a comfortable working vibrato.
Students must provide their own instruments and stands.
- Tuesdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m.
- Bethany Wing, instructor
- Fee: $200
- Scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
- Location: AB Stephens, 2828 Drake Ave. SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
Adult Strings Concert
Tuesday, May 5, 2025
at The Cooper House at 405 Randolph Avenue, Huntsville, 7:30 p.m.
This is the event where you get to show off your new skills from your classes. Please note that participants must provide instruments and a music stand.
About the Faculty
Drew Sarette is a teacher and freelance violinist. Based in Huntsville, AL, he frequently performs with Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Sul Ponticello, and Shoals Symphony Orchestra. He is passionate about Historical Performance, and performs on both Baroque and modern instruments.
Alongside performing, teaching is an equally important creative outlet. Drew maintains a private studio, serves as artistic director for the Huntsville Sinfonietta, and is engaged with the local Suzuki community. He has completed Suzuki teacher training units 1 – 10, and integrates Suzuki and traditional teaching to provide individualized instruction for students ranging in age from three to ninety. He holds a Bachelor’s in Music from Samford University, and a Master’s in Music from the University of Louisville.
Bethany Wing is a violin and viola teacher in Madison, Alabama. She also instructs Novice Strings with the Huntsville Youth Orchestra. She has a BMUS in Music Education from the University of Georgia and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from Tennessee Tech University.
Adult Strings Registration Form