Academic and Performance Areas

String Instruments Area

About the Program

The string area at the Michigan State University College of Music provides students with professional training for careers as musicians. All string majors study under string faculty members, and benefit from the individualized attention needed to ensure optimal preparation for the professional world of music. The distinguished string faculty is highly visible with an international reputation in performance and in teaching.

• String majors are required to attend weekly studio classes, which encompass a pedagogical approach to string performance with a combination of solo, chamber music, and orchestral repertoire.

• Each string major is required to take private lessons from applied faculty members each week, and to attend studio classes and master classes presented by guest artists.

• Yearly concerto competitions are offered in which winners perform with the MSU Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras.

• Chamber music studies are required for all string majors.

• Scholarships are awarded to highly qualified string instrumentalists.

• The string area emphasizes preparation for solo, chamber music and orchestral careers.

• All string studio classes are open to all string majors. Students are encouraged to attend studio classes that focus on string instruments other than their own.

• Many string graduates have been selected as members of full-time professional orchestras worldwide.
• Some guest artists and ensembles have included:

   

  • Juilliard String Quartet
  • Guarneri String Quartet
  • Lincoln Center Chamber Players
  • Pinchas Zukerman, violin
  • Joseph Silverstein, violin
  • Daniel Heifetz, violin
  • David Cerone, violin
  • Gil Shaham, violin
  • Randolph Kelly, viola
  • John Graham, viola
  • Julian Lloyd Webber, cello
  • Steven Doane, cello
  • Edgar Meyer, double bass
  • Gary Karr, double bass

• Number of String Majors: Approximately 100