Urban Strings Columbus

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Urban Strings Columbus

Urban Strings Columbus is a youth orchestra located in Columbus, OH. In 2018 Urban Strings Columbus received 501c3 tax exempt status.

Our orchestra is comprised of young talented musicians from Columbus city, charter, suburban, and private schools. Urban Strings Columbus, founded in 2007, is a Central Ohio-based community youth orchestra of serious, young, talented musicians from Columbus city, charter, suburban, and private schools. Urban Strings performs a multicultural repertoire of great music ranging from classical, jazz and gospel, to R&B, and movie themes. Participants are provided with an opportunity to learn various types of music to which they might not otherwise be exposed. Urban Strings also seeks to provide the opportunity for its instrumentalists to hone proper performance techniques for their respective instruments, while placing a high value on academic performance, preparing participants to become well-rounded college applicants. During 2013, Urban Strings Half Notes and Urban Strings Quarter Notes were launched as learning and performance groups for less experienced and beginning musicians that will serve as avenues of growth for Urban Strings Youth Orchestra.

08/23/2026

Join the Urban Strings Alumni (Asa Simpson Cole, JoeLius Porter & Tia Ward) and Special Guest Vocalist Bella Chapman @ Mansion Day School for a Finale Performance of “Sunday Summer Soul Celebration” @ 3:00 PM today! Thank you to all our wonderful sponsors that helped make this possible. This is a fundraiser for Urban Strings Alumni Musicians as they head back to college all donations are welcomed!
Food options for purchase…The Flavor Trailer will have homemade soul food dinner options; Kona Ice will provide snow cone/shaved ice; Too Good Eats will have artesian frozen popcycles!! Come out and have fun!

08/19/2026

Interested in joining Urban Strings Columbus? We have an open audition schedule Saturday August 29th, 2026 from 9am-1pm! Student Musicians will be required to play:

• D, A, or G major scale (2 octave) choose two

• Students will perform a prepared piece of their choosing

• Students will be asked to play Brandenburg Concerto (musician will choose the part they are auditioning for. For example: if you are auditioning for violin 1 prepare ‘Violin 1 - Brandenburg’ )

Please visit urbanstringscolumbus.org/auditions for audition requirements, links to sheet music for Brandenburg Concerto, and sign up for an audition time slot today.

07/27/2026

In Summer 2026, Urban Strings Columbus musicians and staff had the pleasure of going on a retreat to Burr Oak to hone their skills as musicians and bond as an orchestra. Thank you Columbus Recreation and Parks, Mayor Andrew Ginther, The Columbus Foundation, and The Ohio Arts Council for their continued support!

You can follow and support Urban Strings Columbus on instagram/facebook /
Find out more about us on urbanstringscolumbus.org

Videography by Ryan Wise

06/20/2026

Urban Strings Columbus and String Impact with David Robinson invite you to an afternoon of music this Father’s Day! This concert is free and open to the public this Sunday, June 21st, 2PM at the Columbus Main Library (96 South Grant Columbus, OH 43215). We’d love to see you there!

02/26/2026

Photos from our annual Black History Finale Concert. Thanks again to everyone who came out to support!

Photos by Mr. Ali

02/24/2026

Thanks to everyone that came out to support our annual Black History Finale Concert! The house was packed with family, friends and supporters. Our musicians worked so hard to learn new music these past few weeks! More to come!

Song Performed: Hey Ya! - Outkast

02/23/2026

Urban Strings Columbus wants to say thank you to our donors. Your generous donations help us continue to be great!

This Saturday, February 28th, The Urban Strings Governance board invites you to celebrate Urban Strings Columbus’ 19th Birthday, The Retirement of Catherine T. Willis, Founder & Executive Director, as well as
The Centennial Celebration of the Commemoration of Black History with The String Queens!

Praised for their authentic, soulful, and orchestral sound, The String Queens (TSQ), Kendall Isadore, violin, Élise Sharp, cello and Dawn Johnson, viola, are a dynamic trio known for creating captivating musical experiences that inspire audiences to love, hope, feel, and imagine. Their versatile repertoire spans from the Baroque era and Jazz Age to today’s Billboard Hot 100, taking listeners on an exhilarating journey through time and genres.

Come see The String Queens and Urban Strings Columbus perform at the Lincoln Theater on February 28th, 2026
Doors Open at 6:15 PM
Concert Starts at 6:45 PM

01/22/2026

Tickets are now live for USC & The String Queens!

Please find tickets for this event in the link in our bio at www.urbanstringscolumbus.org/thestringqueens

This benefit concert honors and celebrates Mrs. Willis' graceful retirement from Urban Strings Columbus

Come see The String Queens perform at the Lincoln Theater on February 28th, 2026
Doors Open at 6:15 PM
Concert Starts at 6:45 PM

01/10/2026

COLUMBUS! SAVE THE DATE! USC & The String Queens!

Praised for their authentic, soulful, and orchestral sound, The String Queens (TSQ), Kendall Isadore, violin, Élise Sharp, cello and Dawn Johnson, viola, are a dynamic trio known for creating captivating musical experiences that inspire audiences to love, hope, feel, and imagine. Their versatile repertoire spans from the Baroque era and Jazz Age to today’s Billboard Hot 100, taking listeners on an exhilarating journey through time and genres.

This benefit concert honors and celebrates Mrs. Willis' graceful retirement from Urban Strings Columbus

Come see The String Queens perform at the Lincoln Theater on February 28th, 2026
Doors Open at 6:15 PM
Concert Starts at 6:45 PM

Address

Columbus, OH

Telephone

+16145479228

Website

https://www.urbanstringscolumbus.org/, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczoErk79r6B8QzPUnK6Jqr474Z3r2uMrGhoj_1y

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