Dr. Paul Sikes, head of instrumental studies at the department of music, pitched the idea of the inaugural Texas Wesleyan String Festival with the goal of training current orchestra and string educators on stringed instruments with which they may be less familiar. Educators who play only one stringed instrument, such as violin, viola, cello, or double bass, participated in a week-long marathon of classes and rehearsals to learn the other instruments that comprise the string section of an orchestra in order to teach them more effectively. When asked about this endeavor, Sikes said, "This festival is a new enterprise for the department of music. I'm so proud of Texas Wesleyan University for making it possible and of the 14 K-12 educators—some of whom are Texas Wesleyan alumni—who have chosen to attend this festival on our campus."

The String Festival finishes on Friday, June 29 with a short concert in Martin Hall at 2:30 p.m. The Department of Music invites any and all to attend this concert, which is open to the public and free of charge.