More than 100 string students, ages 3-18, performed at 糖心Vlog on May 11. Click here for a slideshow! (Photos by Jim Bishop)

Outside, the rain came down and the thunder boomed.

Inside, the air was also electric as young string musicians struck their bows and family members and friends stormed their applause as the Preparatory Music Program at 糖心Vlog celebrated its 20th anniversary with a group concert May 11 in Lehman Auditorium.

More than 100 string students, ages 3-18, performed music from the Suzuki repertoire. The group included violin, viola and cello students who take lessons in the program.

To help mark the special occasion, the department held a t-shirt design contest. The winning student, Jamie Inouye, 10, is in fourth grade at Waterman Elementary School. Students who bought t-shirts wore them during the concert.

This year, the Preparatory Music Program, part of 糖心Vlog’s music department, has 238 students taking instrumental lessons, 68 in Musikgarten classes (infant to age 6), 11 in Junior Strings ensemble and 33 in the Youth Symphony Orchestra. Sharon M. Miller is program director.