Sooner String Academy is an orchestra program at OU for 5th and 6th grade beginning string students. No prior experience is required. Begin your musical journey in a fun, supportive, and inspiring environment at the University of Oklahoma.
The academy includes weekly orchestra rehearsals, instrument-specific instruction, mentoring by OU music education majors, instruction from master teachers, performance opportunities, and the chance to make friends through music.
Students provide their own instrument (Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass).
Fall 2026 (12 sessions)
Spring 2027 (12 sessions)
Catlett Music Center, Room 032
500 West Boyd
Norman, OK 73019
$180 per semester (12 sessions)
The button below will take you to our registration and payment system. Registration should be completed by a parent or legal guardian.
If you have any questions, please contact us at soonerstringacademy@ou.edu.
Office: Catlett Music Center 207
Email: cdell@ou.edu
Dr. Charlene Dell teaches undergraduate courses in string methods and pedagogy and the Introduction to Teaching Techniques courses. She also teaches the Current Trends and Curriculum and Philosophical Foundations classes at the graduate level. Dr. Dell brings sixteen years of teaching experience in the public schools of upstate New York and South Carolina to her teaching. She also serves as the conductor for the Oklahoma Youth Philharmonic, part of the Oklahoma Youth Orchestras organization. She has presented clinics at the Music Educators National Conference, the American String Teachers Association National Conference, and the state conferences of Oklahoma, Texas, South Carolina, and New York. She has been published in the Teaching Music through Orchestra book series, the Music Educators Journal, and the American String Teachers Journal, where she served as editor. She has also published in both national and international research journals. Dr. Dell also does guest conducting and adjudication. Her research areas are string intonation, arts integration and whole school reform, music learning theory, and orchestral recruitment and retention.
Email: Brenda.M.Wagner-1@ou.edu
Brenda Wagner recently retired after a distinguished 40-year career teaching public school orchestra. She began her teaching journey in the Oklahoma City Public Schools before spending the last 35 years with the Norman Public Schools. For the past 28 years, she served as the Orchestra Director at Norman North High School, where her ensembles earned an impressive 27 State Sweepstakes Awards. In addition, she dedicated 22 years as the district’s Orchestra Coordinator.
Throughout her career, Ms. Wagner has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” for the State of Oklahoma by the School Band and Orchestra Magazine, Oklahoma Music Educator of the Year by the National Federation of High Schools, Exemplary Teacher by the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, and in 2025 the Oklahoma Educator Award for Excellence in Arts Education. She is also listed in Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
Ms. Wagner holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Ms. Wagner is a violinist and performs regularly as a member of various orchestral and chamber music groups. She has also made several European tours with various ensembles. Her professional memberships include NAfME, OkMEA, ASTA, and the American Federation of Musicians.
