Stephen F. Austin State University’s Music Preparatory Division was awarded the 2026 Outstanding National String Project Consortium String Project Award by the American String Teachers Association for its SFA Strings Project.
The American String Teachers Association has awarded Stephen F. Austin State University’s Music Preparatory Division the 2026 Outstanding National String Project Consortium String Project Award for its SFA Strings Project.
The SFA Strings Project provides high-quality string instruction to students of all ages across East Texas through partnerships with local schools and community organizations. The program offers lessons, ensemble experiences and performance opportunities while giving SFA students valuable teaching experience.
“This recognition is deeply meaningful to both the School of Music and its Music Preparatory Division,” said Alba Madrid, Music Prep director. “Being honored by the ASTA, a nationwide organization, underscores the remarkable impact our program has made within the community in its first five years.”
The award is given annually to an NSPC String Project site that positively influences the community in which they cultivate new generations of highly qualified music educators and culturally diverse string instrument education opportunities for students.
According to Madrid, this achievement was aided by the dedication and support of many partners, including Dr. Gary Wurtz, dean of the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts; Dr. J.D. Salas, SFA’s School of Music director; the School of Music’s string faculty members; the Music Prep Advisory Board; Nacogdoches Independent School District elementary music teachers and fine arts director; SFA student instructors; the Boys & Girls Clubs of Deep East Texas; and the parents who continue to support their children’s musical education.
For more information about SFA’s Music Prep, visit sfasu.edu/musicprep.
ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, 11 residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.
By University Marketing Communications
