Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1506754
Extraordinary string students deserve an extraordinary college experience. The Robert McDuffie Center for Strings has an unparalleled faculty of international artists, and provides each of its students with a full-tuition scholarship to pursue musical excellence. Founded as a special institute within Mercer University's Townsend School of Music, the McDuffie Center for Strings' enrollment is limited to 26 students: twelve violinists, six violists, six cellists, and two double bassists. Students accepted to the Center receive a full-tuition University scholarship. The distinguished artists of the McDuffie Center perform, collaborate, and record with the finest orchestras, string ensembles, and conductors around the world. They are at the top of their fields. And, each McDuffie Center student interacts with these distinguished artists on a regular basis, which enhances the students' private lessons, master classes, chamber music coaching sessions and orchestral sectionals, all a part of their required curriculum. Combining this intensive, conservatory experience with the practicality of a specific business-oriented curriculum, the McDuffie Center for Strings prepares the entrepreneurial musician for success in the real world. "During my years at the McDuffie Center, I experienced tremendous growth both as an artist and as an individual. The Center was far different from any typical undergraduate music school education. Because of its selectively small size, my colleagues and I were afforded a substantial amount of one-on-one work with the most accomplished artists and teachers. Through the Center, I was able to travel and perform in beautiful venues from Florida and NYC all the way to Rome, Italy for Robert McDuffie's Rome Chamber Music Festival." — Tiani Butts, Center '19. MM University of Michigan. Now violinist in the Ivlas Quartet. "The Center functions as a big 26-person family where we all support and learn from each other. The Center also has a thorough and personal investment in each student, far more than any other school I know of. These elements, combined with access to the most sought after faculty members in the country, create a learning environment that easily rivals the best schools in the country and the world, but without a price tag." — Keoni Bolding, Center '19, Master's degree from The Juilliard School; Artist Diploma at the Cur- tis Institute; section viola, Houston Symphony Preparing the exceptional musician to thrive in the real world. GET IN TOUCH: 478-301-2886 mcduffiecenter@mercer.edu The Bell House: 315 College St. Macon, Georgia 31201 mcduffie.mercer.edu Facebook: Robert McDuffie Center for Strings • Instagram: @mercermcduffiecenter THE LABOR DAY FESTIVAL Free • Open to the Public • September 4 • 3 p.m. See some of the best emerging talent in the country when eight high school seniors are selected for a weekend of intensive workshops and perform alongside McDuffie Center faculty and Young Artists