Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp
As part of the String Department you will join a longstanding tradition of excellence. Learn from faculty that draw from wide-ranging experiences as soloists, pedagogues, chamber musicians, and orchestral musicians. Take a lesson with our internationally renowned faculty. Get a chamber music coaching with the Grammy award-winning Muir Quartet. Prep for your orchestra auditions with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Whatever path you choose, the String Department offers the optimal training ground for students seeking meaningful careers as orchestral and chamber musicians, soloists, teachers, and pedagogues.
String Faculty
Program of Study
Applied Study
String faculty members provide weekly private lessons for all music majors whose principal instrument is violin, viola, cello, double bass, or harp. Regularly scheduled string department recitals present students in a formal performance setting outside of their required degree recitals. An annual series of guest masterclasses provides students contact with a variety of distinguished artist-teachers and the opportunity to benefit from the insights and approaches of many pedagogical styles.
String Courses
The String Department offers courses in:
String Pedagogy: Covering teaching methods and materials, as well as literature concerned with leading pedagogical approaches.
Solo Literature: Survey of important recital and concerto repertoire from the Baroque to the present.
Chamber Music Literature: Survey of the vast and important string chamber music repertoire from the Baroque to the present.
Orchestral Studies
For Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass
With 9 faculty members playing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, BU students learn from some the best orchestral players in the country. Our students focus on mastering the standard orchestral excerpts and learn to prepare for the complete orchestral experience through rep readings and repeated mock-auditions.
Under the direction of Maestro James Burton, BU maintains both a symphony orchestra and a chamber orchestra where students continuously perform both new and standard masterpieces as well as play in the pit for our superb opera productions.
Oh, and about that world-class symphony next door? You can go for free. Being exposed to great performances is crucial to growing as an artist. With the BSO College Card you will gain access to free concerts and open rehearsals at the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Chamber Music
BU School of Music is dedicated to the study of chamber music at all levels. The String Department runs a large chamber music program, coordinated and coached by members of the Muir Quartet (in-residence at Boston University), and other string faculty members, our program instills the professional skills and entrepreneurial spirit necessary to have chamber music be a meaningful part of your career.
A series of masterclasses and open rehearsals presented by the Muir Quartet gives chamber groups the opportunity to explore further rehearsal techniques and performance ideas in a public setting.
Muir String Quartet
The Muir String Quartet, in residence at BU since 1983, has long been acknowledged as one of the world’s most powerful and insightful ensembles, distinguishing itself among audiences and critics with its “exhilarating involvement” (Boston Globe), “impeccable voicing and intonation” (San Francisco Examiner), and “unbridled musicality” (American Record Guide).
The Muir Quartet presents a series of open rehearsals giving chamber groups the opportunity to explore further rehearsal techniques and performance ideas. As part of their residency the Muir Quartet presents an annual series of concerts on campus in addition to their regular off-campus concert schedule.
Audition Requirements
Thinking of applying? Find out more about prescreening, repertoire, and audition details by instrument.
Learn more about the Artist Diploma in string Performance
Performance Opportunities
During the course of their studies, students participate in a range of performance opportunities at a variety of venues at Boston University, in the city of Boston, and beyond. With hundreds of performances per year at the School of Music, students are always just a few steps from taking the stage. From recitals to orchestra concerts, students perform regularly including annual performances at Symphony Hall in Boston and Carnegie Hall in New York City.
- BU Symphony Orchestra
- BU Chamber Orchestra
- Opera Orchestra
- Chamber Music
- Annual Bach Competition
- Annual Soloists’ Competition
- BU Baroque Orchestra
Notable Alumni
Next Steps for Applicants
The best way to determine if BU is right for you is to explore our admission requirements, financial tools, and resources to determine if the program is the right match.
Reach out to our Director of Admissions at visitSOM@bu.edu with any questions along the way or to request information. We are happy to discuss your educational interests and career goals.
