Program Overview

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Master of Arts in Strings

The string program at the University of Iowa School of Music offers a comprehensive framework of private lessons, major performing ensembles, master classes, chamber music coaching, literature classes, and performance seminars driven by the broad experience of its faculty. Alumni hold positions in major orchestras and chamber ensembles, and teach at universities and conservatories around the world.

Program Advantages

• A curriculum centered on a close teacher/student relationship with weekly private instruction supported by weekly Studio Seminars.
• Nationally accredited degree programs.
• A unique chamber music experience with the newly established UI 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

This information is intended to assist in your course planning but is not intended to serve as an official guide to graduation requirements. To confirm progress toward graduation, you should consult your advisor.

Course Offerings

General Requirements

• Introduction to Graduate Study in Music (MUS:5300), 2 semester hours

Music Theory Requirements

• Review of Undergraduate Theory (MUS:5200): Required of all graduate students who do not pass the advisory examination in music theory.
• Counterpoint Before 1600 (MUS:4200), 3 semester hours
• Counterpoint After 1600 (MUS:4201), 3 semester hours
• Jazz Theory (MUS:4730), 3 semester hours
• Tonal Analysis (MUS:5235), 3 semester hours
• Non-Tonal Analysis (MUS:5236), 3 semester hours
• Analysis of Popular Music (MUS:5237), 3 semester hours
• Special Topics in Theory and Analysis (MUS:5240), 3 semester hours
• History of Ideas in Music (MUS:6210), 3 semester hours
• Theoretical Approaches to Music (MUS:6211), 3 semester hours
• Theory Pedagogy (MUS:6215), 3 semester hours
• Advanced Tonal Theory and Analysis (MUS:6250), 3 semester hours
• Advanced Non-Tonal Theory and Analysis (MUS:6251), 3 semester hours
• Advanced Theory and Analysis of Popular Music (MUS:6252), 3 semester hours

Music History Requirements

• Music and Gender (MUS:4320), 3 semester hours
• Medieval and Renaissance Music (MUS:4325), 3 semester hours
• Baroque Music (MUS:4330), 3 semester hours
• 18th-Century Music (MUS:4335), 3 semester hours
• 19th-Century Music (MUS:4340), 3 semester hours
• 20th-Century Music (MUS:4345), 3 semester hours
• Advanced Jazz History (MUS:4350), 3 semester hours
• American Music (MUS:4355), 3 semester hours
• Jazz Matters (MUS:4360), 3 semester hours
• Studies in Film and Music (MUS:4610), 3 semester hours
• Teaching Music, History, and Culture (MUS:6305), 3 semester hours
• Topics in Musicology (MUS:6310), 3 semester hours
• Historical Approaches to Music (MUS:6312), 3 semester hours
• Topics in Ethnomusicology (MUS:6314), 3 semester hours
• Foundations of Ethnomusicology (MUS:6315), 3 semester hours
• Renaissance Music Notations (MUS:6326), 3 semester hours
• Music Editing (MUS:6375), 3 semester hours

Ensemble Participation

• Orchestra (MUS:3180), 1 semester hour each
  • Note: Four semesters required

String Area Requirements

• Applied lessons in major area (MUS:602-), 4 semesters at 2 semester hours each
  • Note: Normally, applied lessons are taken each semester until the recital requirement is completed; requests for exceptions must be approved by the brass area.
• Advanced String Methods and Literature I (MUS:5121), 2 semester hours
  • Note: Offered fall semester only.
• Advanced String Methods and Literature II (MUS:5122), 2 semester hours
  • Note: Offered spring semester only.
• One of these for three semesters:
  • String Chamber Music (MUS:3482), 1 semester hour
  • Chamber Music Residency Program (MUS:3489), 1 semester hour
  • Note: Chamber Music is recommended each semester the student is in residence.

Recital and Final Exam

• MA Recital (MUS:6900), 1 to 2 semester hours

Recital and Final Examination Committee

• MA Recital committees must have:
  • 3 committee members:
    • 2 of the 3 must be from the string area
    • Principal advisor must be chair of the committee
• MA final exam (comps) committees must have:
  • 3 committee members:
    • 2 of the 3 must be from the string area
    • Principal advisor must be chair of the committee

LaFosse Collection of Baroque String Instruments

The University of Iowa School of Music is proud to own the LaFosse Collection of Baroque string instruments. The late Leopold LaFosse served as Professor of Violin at the University of Iowa from 1972 until his death in 2003.

Professor LaFosse bequeathed one of the finest collections of baroque instruments and bows to the School of Music. The collection is maintained by UI viola professor Christine Rutledge, who teaches baroque violin and viola.

Students who wish to learn baroque style and technique have a special opportunity at the University of Iowa by having access to these high-quality instruments and bows.

String Master Classes

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

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
• Craig Butterfield
• Diana Gannett
• Edgar Meyer
• David Murray
• John Patitucci
• Paul Sharpe
• Anthony Stoops
• Hans Sturm

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

Strings Faculty

Anthony Arnone

• Title/Position: Cello, Associate Professor

Jamie Clark

• Title/Position: Cello, Visiting Assistant Professor

Scott Conklin

• Title/Position: Violin, Professor

Elizabeth Oakes

• Title/Position: Director of University of Iowa String Quartet Residency Program, Professor of Instruction

Volkan Orhon

• Title/Position: Bass, Professor, Strings Area Head

Christine Rutledge

• Title/Position: Viola, Professor

Katie Wolfe

• Title/Position: 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. Visit the Music Callboard for all scheduling and policy information.