MARQUETTE — The Marquette County String Orchestra Society is hosting a strings refresher workshop for those looking to return to music or practice their skills.

Three MCSOS instructors will be teaching former adult string players familiar with violins, violas, cellos and bass, giving those passionate about their string instruments the opportunity to revisit and refresh their skills.

The MCSOS is a group that unites musicians from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and abilities. They’re hosting this workshop because the demands of life can make it difficult to continue making time to play an instrument, and playing and learning alongside other musicians is simultaneously beneficial and enjoyable.

“I’d like to emphasize that if people are at all interested but hesitate to apply because they feel like they’ve forgotten everything they ever learned – they are exactly the people who should apply! We want to give people a safe, non-competitive, non-judgmental space where they can learn and have fun,” wrote Igna Banitt, one of the workshop’s teachers, in a message to the Mining Journal.

“This is something I’ve wanted to do for decades. We have an inspiring space in St. Paul’s and I am excited to be working with Inga and Wendy for whom I have great respect,” included Janis Peterson, a retired high school orchestra teacher and another instructor for the workshop.

The stringers refresher course will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 8 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, located at 201 E. Ridge St. It will be taught by Banitt, Peterson and strings teacher Wendy Larson. Registration for the course is $25 in cash, and participants will need to bring a playable instrument.

In-person registration for the course will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 at St. Paul’s, and registrants will be able to have their instruments evaluated at that time.

Following the one-day course, participants will have the opportunity to continue playing and learning together. According to MCSOS, the emphasis of the program is to have fun and experience the camaraderie found in making music together.

For more information or questions, please email mqtcountysos@gmail.com.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.