By Shannon Lukens. (File photo)

 

Steamboat Symphony Orchestra is launching String Sprouts, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Colorado. It’s a nationwide program that provides five years of instruction for violin, viola, cello, and bass to young children that would otherwise not have the means and access to learn to play a string instrument.

Steamboat Symphony Orchestra Conductor Ernest Richardson says it teaches kids the language of music.

“Because they learn a new language which then transfers to learning the language of English, to being in school, to understanding math, all the things that prepares them for being successful in school.”

 

Kids in String Sprouts can start as young as three years old.

 

The website says early childhood music education has been shown to improve classroom behavior, extend attention span, strengthen motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and give kids a jump=start on academic subjects.