The international string ensemble Barrage will be conducting workshops for students in grades 8-12 Wednesday, Sept. 23, to encourage their performance skills and teach them new approaches to playing.

The day will culminate with a public performance by the group at the Pinecrest High School auditorium.

"This is an excellent opportunity for our students," says Southern Middle orchestra teacher Eric Kopecky. "Barrage is not your typical string ensemble. The young performers in the group can serve as role models for our developing students."

Members in Barrage are noted for their high energy violin and fiddle styles.

"Our students will be able to learn a lot about adding energy to a performance, as well as different approaches to improvisation," says Kopecky.

As part of the workshop, students will be practicing songs and choosing the ones which they will perform with the Barrage cast at their concert that night.

Barrage is described as a high-octane string group that features an international, multi-talented cast performing an eclectic mix of music, song and dance. The group consists of six violinists/vocalists, a drummer, a bass player, and a guitarist. Barrage will complete over 200 performances in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Canada this year.

The local concert will be held in the Robert E. Lee Auditorium at Pinecrest High School at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Proceeds from the concert will be used to improve the orchestra program in Moore County through funding music, instruments, and future workshops.

Tickets will be available from Eric Kopecky at Southern Middle School or the Arts Council of Moore County (692-4356).