Stringmoves runs on Saturday mornings at Byron House and provides musical training to children from the surrounding community, with bursary support as needed.  The project was set up by Kathryn Kay in 2003; Kathryn has now left Cambridge to start a family and Stringmoves was taken over by Celia Cobb in 2008.  The project is staffed by ten experienced music teachers.  

Stringmoves is open to children from local primary schools from the age of five who are keen to learn a stringed instrument within a whole musical experience.  In the first phase of the Stringmoves project, children are given a firm foundation in musical training through Dalcroze Eurhythmics classes.  Dalcroze Eurhythmics is a fun and exploratory way to learn musicianship and to discover the expressive power of music.  The method uses body movement to explore musical concepts and make music come alive.  The children develop a natural sense of musicality through a range of musical activities including rhythmic training, listening, singing and muscular co-ordination.

In the second phase of the project, children choose to receive individual tuition on a stringed instrument of their choice (violin, viola or cello), alongside further Dalcroze coaching.  The children also join in a group music making session (either orchestra or a chamber ensemble), as well as a music theory session which reinforces the concepts covered through the Dalcroze and instrumental teaching.  In addition, the all children join together for a short choir session.

Open mornings are held regularly for current and prospective Stringmoves parents , when the children present examples of the activities they have studied in their Dalcroze groups, and perform on their instruments.

More information is available on the Stringmoves website.