About the New Orleans String Project (NOSP)

The Mission of the New Orleans String Project  (NOSP) is to enrich the lives of youth in our community by making high-quality stringed instrument  instruction accessible to inner-city New Orleans children. NOSP believes in the importance of early music education to improve children’s  general well-being and overall quality of life.

History of the NOSP

NOSP was conceived by members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra and community leaders at the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD). Since its inception 2001, NOSP has served over 175 children, ages six through fourteen, from forty schools throughout Orleans Parish.

Our Program

NOSP is a non-profit organization that teaches viola, cello and string bass to beginners, ages six through fourteen. During the school year children receive weekly small group lessons on their instrument. In the summer NOSP students participate in an intensive music camp where they continue to study their instrument and take classes in music theory and appreciation. All students perform multiple concerts throughout the school year and summer at senior resident homes, children group homes and NORD events. Most NOSP music students have lessons from six months to two years after which they audition for the beginning "Sinfonia" of the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra. At this point, they begin to take private lessons from LPO musicians through a scholarship program.

Learning to play a musical instrument helps children to:

Build Self-Esteem
Practice Cooperation Skills
Develop Motor Skills & Coordination
Learn Discipline
Improve Concentration
Set and Achieve Goals
Increase Confidence
Be Considerate of Others
Appreciate Other Cultures
Form Strong Friendships
Identify Role Models
Respect Valuable Items
Express Themselves in a Positive Way
Learn Concert and Reception Etiquette
Start a Lifetime Hobby or Career
Have Loads of fun...
and so much more!!!