Island Strings - Whidbey Music Education

05/18/2026

Students are admitted free with ticket-holding adult. (Recommended student age range 10-17.) A limited number of comp tickets are available for a parent bringing their student. Please contact [email protected] to be added to our entrance list. This community event promotes creativity in our community. Expect brilliant, humorous and crafty work in these short films, and enjoy voting for your favorite.

09/22/2025

Last weekend I met a violinist playing at the Coupeville Farmer's Market and I was reminded that some folks begin their instrument journey as adults, playing for the joy and the challenge of it. One such musician meets each year with my summer classes to tell her story of taking up the cello as an adult, the challenges and the benefits she finds in the work, and then she stays to play along with them. This post celebrates lifelong learning!

Coupeville Music Boosters Community Page

09/06/2025

Very happy birthday wishes to longtime Island Strings friend, Vern Olsen, who is also an original Shifty Sailor. Vern and his twin sister celebrated 85 years today, aboard the tall ship Adventuress, with a sail around Port Townsend harbor.

08/21/2025

This is worth the 18 minutes.

Does the world still need classical music? What about orchestras? In this gorgeous talk and performance, violinist Joshua Bell and the Chamber Orchestra of America play selections of classical music masterpieces — from Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 to Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony and more — sha...

08/01/2025

One of the things I look forward to with summer groups is the availability of high school teaching assistants! Thanks to those who worked this year.

07/23/2025

And it's a wrap. Our second session of Summer Violin Camp 2025 has been a study of harmony = enhanced listening and teamwork. Players of various ages and skills worked brilliantly together! Thank you to high school students Allie and Katie, who served as class assistants this week!

07/11/2025

The first Intro to Violin summer camp was a success! Back in two weeks for the next step, and more harmony. Cynthia Albers, instructor, and Shiloh serving as high school assistant for session 1.

01/12/2025

Island Strings would like to thank the Coupeville Festival Association for its generous grant for supplies that will bring our donated instruments into playable condition. These refurbished instruments, plus a new 1/4 violin, will be made available free of charge to our group class students in need. Supplies were mainly purchased at Whidbey's Click Music in Oak Harbor.

11/21/2024

As we wrap up our first year (actually, 8 mos) as a nonprofit, Island Strings thanks all who donated to our scholarship fund and to our operational needs and classroom supplies. Our music stands, music folders and violin supply were made possible by an Island Thrift community grant!

11/07/2024

We have just been notified that the Coupeville Festival Association is granting Island Strings funds to refurbish recently donated instruments, and to acquire a new 1/4 size violin, all to be offered on loan to our group class enrollees. Offering instruments on loan should increase the number of children able to enroll. Thank you Coupeville Festival Association!

10/28/2024

Our second round of Scholarship Awards is open to new applicants.