Program Overview

University of Iowa School of Music Programs

The University of Iowa School of Music offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in music.

Undergraduate Programs

• BA in Music
• BA in Music Education
• BM in Brass
• BM in Composition Studies
• BM in Jazz Studies
• BM in Music Therapy
• BM in Organ
• BM in Percussion
• BM in Piano
• BM in Strings
• BM in Voice
• BM in Woodwinds
• Minor in Music

Graduate Programs

• Master of Arts Degrees
  • MA in Brass
  • MA in Composition
  • MA in Conducting
  • MA in Jazz Studies
  • MA in Music Education
  • MA in Musicology
  • MA in Music Theory
  • MA in Music Therapy
  • MA in Organ
  • MA in Percussion
  • MA in Piano
  • MA in Strings
  • MA in Voice
  • MA in Woodwinds
• Doctor of Musical Arts Degrees
  • DMA in Brass
  • DMA in Conducting
  • DMA in Organ
  • DMA in Percussion
  • DMA in Piano
  • DMA in Strings
  • DMA in Voice
  • DMA in Woodwinds
• Doctor of Philosophy Degrees
  • PhD in Composition
  • PhD in Music Education
  • PhD in Music Education + Music Therapy Emphasis
  • PhD in Musicology
  • PhD in Music Theory

Bachelor of Music in Strings

The string program at the University of Iowa carries on a long tradition of teaching excellence. The faculty is committed to a strong educational ethic at all levels of teaching. String majors come from many walks of life, and whether they are performance majors, education or music therapy majors, the faculty is committed to giving each student the best educational experience possible. Alumni hold positions in major orchestras and chamber ensembles, and teach at universities, conservatories, and schools around the world.

Program Advantages

The string program at the University of Iowa School of Music has several distinct advantages, including:

• A curriculum centered on a close teacher/student relationship with weekly private instruction supported by weekly Studio Seminars.
• Nationally accredited degree programs.
• Undergraduate students may earn their Bachelor of Music in Performance and K-12 Music Teaching Certification or Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, an approved program by the American Music Therapy Association.
• A unique chamber music experience with the newly established University of Iowa String Quartet Residency Program.
• Master classes and performances with renowned guest artists.
• Numerous opportunities and venues for solo and chamber music performance.
• A dynamic string faculty who regularly perform and teach around the United States and the world.
• Opportunities for intensive study of orchestral repertoire and audition preparation.
• Opportunities to study and perform on baroque instruments.

Requirements and Program Planning

• Required course placement: Musicianship and theory, Group piano.
• Download course checklist.
• View general catalog.

String Master Classes

String students benefit from a variety of guest master classes and concerts from internationally-acclaimed artists.

String Master Classes Artists

• Violin:
  • Frank Almond
  • Charles Castleman
  • Paul Kantor
  • Jeremy Kittel
  • Sally O'Reilly
  • David Perry
  • William Preucil
  • Stanley Ritchie
  • Sheryl Staples
  • Almita Vamos
• Viola:
  • Nancy Buck
  • Jeffrey Irvine
  • Pamela Ryan
  • Peter Slowick
• Cello:
  • Zuill Bailey
  • Colin Carr
  • Bonnie Hampton
  • Joel Krosnick
  • Mark Summer
• Double bass:
  • Robert Black
  • Christopher Brown
  • Diana Gannett
  • Sydney King
  • Andrew Kohn
  • Edgar Meyer
  • David Murray
  • John Patitucci
  • Paul Sharpe
  • Anthony Stoops
  • Hans Sturm
  • Chunyang Wang
• Chamber music:
  • American String Quartet
  • Arianna Quartet
  • Ariel Quartet
  • Brentano String Quartet
  • Kenji Bunch
  • Calder Quartet
  • Cavani String Quartet
  • Chiara String Quaret
  • Daedalus Quartet
  • Emerson String Quartet
  • Dalí Quartet
  • Fry Street Quartet
  • Jupiter Quartet
  • Kronos Quartet
  • JACK Quartet
  • Jasper String Quartet
  • Joel Krosnick
  • Jupiter String Quartet
  • Lark Quartet
  • Linden String Quartet
  • Anne-Marie McDermott
  • Miro Quartet
  • Pacifica Quartet
  • Navah Perlman
  • Caroline Shaw
  • David Schifrin
  • St. Lawrence String Quartet
  • Ying Quartet

Performance Opportunities

• UI Symphony Orchestra
• Chamber Orchestra
• Opera orchestra
• Chamber music and concerto competitions
• Student recitals
• Studio seminars
• Master classes
• Chamber music master classes and seminars
• Numerous orchestras and performing opportunities outside the university

Strings Faculty

• Anthony Arnone: Cello, Associate Professor
• Jamie Clark: Cello, Visiting Assistant Professor
• Scott Conklin: Violin, Professor
• Elizabeth Oakes: Director of University of Iowa String Quartet Residency Program, Professor of Instruction
• Volkan Orhon: Bass, Professor, Strings Area Head
• Christine Rutledge: Viola, Professor
• Katie Wolfe: Violin, Associate Professor

Practice and Perform

The University of Iowa School of Music provides various resources for students to practice and perform, including music rooms, accompanists, and recording studios.