Sand Hills String Band
Dr. Robert Saunders, Director
The Sand Hills String Band is for intermediate to advanced instrumentalists with an interest in playing American, European, and other world folk and popular music. Adult and older youth members perform together, utilizing their creative abilities to create unique arrangements of the selected music. Membership is not limited to string instrumentalists, as the name of the ensemble might suggest, and all traditional acoustic folk instruments are welcome! Instrumentation includes, but is not limited to:
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Bass
- Guitar
- Mandolin
- Ukulele
- Penny Whistle
- Accordion
- Recorder
Come Join Us!
Multi-instrumentalists are welcome. Arrangements for the ensemble are created by the members with support and documentation by Dr. Robert Saunders. The group will prepare repertoire for several concerts throughout the year, each designed around a theme connecting the selections for each performance.
Semester Fee: $100
Fall 2025 Schedule
Rehearsals will begin on August 31
August: 31
September: 7, 14, 21, 28
October: 5, 26
November: 2, 16, 23
December: 7
Fall 2025 Concert Date:
December 7, 2025 6:00pm Maxwell Theatre
Augusta Mandolin Ensemble
Dr. Robert Saunders, Director
For all you mando-heads and mando-dablers, the Augusta Mandolin Ensemble is comprised of mandolin family instruments (mandolin, mandola, mandocello) with bass, guitar, and a uke or two, playing classic Italian, Irish, and American music. All sheet music and instruction on the mandolin will be provided. Instruments are available to borrow and use during the semester and interested folks should have prior experience reading music on an instrument of any sort. Rehearsals will follow the same schedule as Sand Hills String Band with a culminating concert to showcase the work everyone has accomplished throughout the semester
There are limited instruments available for a $10 rental fee for those who need one.
Fall 2025 Rehearsal Dates TBA
Summer 2025 Rehearsal Dates
The Mandolin Ensemble will meet at 5:00pm after Sand Hills String Band rehearsal. The first rehearsal will be May 18th.
May: 18
June: 1, 8, 22, 29
July: 13, 20, 27
August: 3*
Summer 2025 Concert Date: August 3, 2025 6:00pm FAC Recital Hall
Creative Strings Ensemble
Dr. Robert Saunders, Director
This ensemble is for students in seventh grade or older who play string instruments
and have had at least three years of ensemble experience or private instruction.
Instruments in this ensemble include:
Violin
Viola
Cello
Bass
Guitar
Mandolin
Creative Strings classes focus on developing various creative competencies in intermediate
to advanced string instrument students. Designed to augment the learning and skills
gained through participation in formal classical ensembles, the Creative Strings Ensemble
engages youth in musical improvisation, arranging, and composition while learning
to work collaboratively with their peers.
Modern avenues of performance for strings players are boundless, requiring performers
to explore music genres and performance techniques that build on skills learned in
other settings. Students explore music together in a weekly rehearsal and learn to
express themselves fluently on their instrument.
This unique performance opportunity builds a foundation of musical and harmonic understanding
necessary to become a well-rounded musician. Repertoire is selected based on the interests
of the performers in the ensemble with guidance provided by a specialist in creative
music making and performance practice.
The Creative Strings Ensemble participates in two concerts a year along with the Sand
Hills String Band, a multi-generational folk music ensemble. Students in Creative
Strings are invited to participate in the String Band and will have combined pieces
at each concert.
Fall 2025 Schedule TBA
Rehearsals take place on Sunday evenings from 5:00pm - 6:00pm in the in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall which is located on the Summerville Campus of Augusta University.
Creative Skills Evaluation (for students new to the group):
Please prepare the following:
1. Two pieces of your choice - one classical and one non-classical selection
2. One scale of your choice
3. You will be asked to play short melodic patterns by ear
Rehearsals begin August 31 , 2025
August: 31
September: 7, 14, 21, 28
October: 5, 26
November: 2, 16, 23
December: 7
Fall 2025 Concert Date: December 7, 2025 6:00pm Maxwell Theatre
Semester Fee: $100
**Financial aid is available. Please email consprog@augusta.edu for more information.
