The Starling Project is a specialized honors program training young string students. As a part of the Starling Project, Starling Chamber Orchestra (SCO) founded by Maestro Kurt Sassmannshaus in 1987 is formed with talented young string players selected by audition from across the United States and abroad. All students from SCO participate in a training program held at College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), University of Cincinnati each Saturday. Students wake up early to spend the day taking classes in music theory, ear training, eurhythmics, and composition, not to mention private lessons, orchestra rehearsals, and chamber music coaching. Most of the students are from the greater Cincinnati area, and many others commute on Saturdays from other states. SCO has a concert subscription series at Robert J. Werner Recital Hall at CCM. In addition to performing locally, SCO maintains a busy international touring schedule. Since 1992, they have toured Europe, Korea, and the People's Republic of China.

The Starling Preparatory String Project and Starling Chamber Orchestra are generously funded through a grant by the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation. They are also supported by the Starling Project Foundation, Inc. and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Services provided by the Starling Project Foundation include all aspects of: concert production, management, publicity, outreach, fundraising, artist management, commission of new works, recording and video production, tour arrangements, website design and maintenance, and financial oversight. Services provided by CCM include donation of classroom space, rehearsal rooms and concert halls, and administrative management of student enrollment, tuition payments, and teacher salaries.

Please contact us for more information on the Starling Project and Starling Chamber Orchestra enrollment.