The purpose of Sizzling Strings, Inc. is to offer
the opportunity for young musicians to be involved in a large orchestra, to foster the discipline necessary to function in
the music profession, to learn cooperation and respect for fellow musicians and
TO HAVE FUN WITH MUSIC!
 1994
Sizzling
Strings founded with 18 students - First performance - Matthews Alive Labor Day Festival.
1995
Sizzling Strings grew to 35 6th grade students who performed at Universal Studios in Florida.
1996
The group became Sizzling Strings, Inc.,
a non-profit organization and had almost 50 sixth and seventh graders and they returned to Universal Studios and attended
a workshop at University of Florida.
1997
Sizzling
Strings became large enough to form Junior Sizzlers and Senior Sizzlers. The group performed with the Union County Symphony
and traveled to Washington, D.C. and their workshop was at East Carolina University.
1998
The
workshop was at EPCOT in Walt Disney World and the group performed at the Magic Kingdom.
1999
Sizzling
Strings became tax-exempt. Blazing Band was created to give middle school wind and percussion students a chance to play together.
During this year the group participated in a performance workshop at The North Carolina Annual Convention in Winston-Salem,
entitled Growing a Community Orchestra. The Sizzling Strings, Blazing Band, and Mecklenburg County Youth Orchestra traveled
to Hershey, PA and performed.
2000
Sizzling Strings and Blazing Band performed at Universal Studios
and had their workshop at Stetson University. In the fall an attempt was made to create the Mecklenburg County Youth Orchestra.
MCYO is no longer a part of Sizzling Strings, Inc.
2001
The performance was aboard Sovereign
of the Seas cruise ship with Blazing Band and Sizzling Strings.
2002
Sizzling Strings performed at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC in concert with the Salisbury Youth Orchestra.
Blazing Band and Sizzling Strings performed at The Charlotte Museum of History, Shriners Hospital in Greenville, SC and Stone
Mountain Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
Trip Pictures
2003
Sizzling Strings and Blazing Band performed at Ray's Splash Planet, participated in a Magic Music Days "You're Instrumental
Workshop", and performed at Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World, Florida.
This summer the Sizzling Strings will be
celebrated it's 10th Year!
The Sizzling Strings and Blazing Band
performed at Matthews Alive Labor Day Festival for the 10th year in a row. On November 21, both groups performed at
the Carrington Retirement Home.
2004
Both groups performed the National Anthem
and God Bless America at a Charlotte Checkers game in Feb. 2004. Also they did their Annual Raffle and Concert on Mother's
Day, May 9, at the Charlotte Museum of History. Workshop at the American Classical Music Hall of Fame with Doug Spata
on June 12 and Performance at Paramount Kings Island on June 13 in Cincinatti, Ohio. Both groups performed for the 11th year
at Matthews Alive Labor Day Festival. On November 13, in Waxhaw, NC, they performed for a Wall of Honor Dedication for Veterans.
2005
Feb.
19 at 7:00 PM
Sizzling Strings and Blazing Band together performed the National Anthem and God Bless America at a
Charlotte Checkers Game for the Second Year in a row.
March 13 at 2:00 PM
Both groups performed well at
the Charlotte Museum of History. The annual raffle was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who donated a prize, bought raffle
tickets, and/or performed in the concert!
June 12 at 11:45 am
Sizzling Strings and Blazing Band put
on one of the hottest concerts ever. It was almost 100 degrees at SeaWorld, Florida. All the students performed
well.
June 13 at 7:00 PM
Both groups performed the National Anthem
on TV at a Tampa Bay Devil Rays Home Game. The performance was at Topicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL.
July 2
Sizzling Strings, Inc. recieved notification
that the Arts & Science Council fully funded a grant to have a Summer Camp August 8-12. Thank you Jim Beasley for
writing our grant!
August 8-12
The Summer Music Camp for band and orchestra
students was a big success. We had 22 students with 3 beginners. Everyone had a great time. "Brass Act",
"Ron Brendle", and "Alan Kaufman" did concerts/mini-workshops. Donely Violins and Music & Art's Center came out
to do Mini-Instrument Workshops. Our conductors were amazing. Thank you to everyone.
November
Both Groups performed at South Park Mall
2006 February The Blazing Band and Sizzling Strings performed the National Anthem for the 3rd
year in a row at a Checkers Game. April Both groups did their final concert at the Charlotte Museum
of History. June 16-20 We traveled to Pittsburgh, PA. Did a workshop with
composer/professor Efrian Amaya at Carnegie Mellon University. Performed at Kennywood Amusement park and visited many
sites around Pittsburgh. Our highlight was our lunch and tour of Stat Medevac at the County Airport! June 14, 2007 Both groups participated in the National Anthem Project Finale with thousands of other students
from all 50 states singing the National Anthem on the Mall in Washington, D.C. June 15, 2007 Blazing Band and Sizzling Strings performed an amazing concert
at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. with the Washington Monument in the back ground. July
2007-May 2008 For the first time in 15
years, Sizzling Strings and Blazing Band to a break. We are now back and better than ever. June
2008 We had a great summer!
Sizzling Strings, Inc.
has performed at Matthews Alive Labor Day Festival every year from 1994-2006, 2008. They have also performed at
Festival in the Park from 1998-2001. The group has also had many get-togethers outside of rehearsals promoting fun and
friendship.
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| 2006 Matthews Alive Labor Day Parade - Thank you to Aaron's Quality Signs for sponsoring our float! |
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