Strings

As part of the string area, students study with string faculty members and receive the individualized attention they need to succeed in the professional world of music. In fact, many graduates from the string area excel as members of full-time professional orchestras worldwide.

String majors are required to attend weekly studio classes featuring a combination of solo, chamber music, and orchestral repertoire in preparation for careers in these areas. In addition, students are required to take private lessons from faculty members each week and attend studio classes and master classes presented by guest artists. Chamber music studies are required for all string majors, too.

All string studio classes are open to string majors, and students are encouraged to attend studio classes that focus on string instruments other than their own. Yearly honors competitions are offered; the winners perform with the MSU Symphony orchestras. 
Scholarships are awarded to highly qualified string instrumentalists.

In the past, guest artists and ensembles of the College of Music 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

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