StringsUndergraduate and Graduate Degrees in Music Performance

Southard Music Competition

The UNC Southard Music Competition has traditionally been one of the school’s premier showcase events, highlighting the breadth and depth of the musical talent of students as soloists and chamber players.

Learn More about the Southard Music Competition

Western States Honors Orchestra Festival

Each year, the University of Northern Colorado hosts the Western States Honor Orchestra Festival in Greeley, Colorado, at UNC Campus Commons.

Western States Honors Orchestra Festival

UNC String Project

The UNC String Project is a community-based music education program providing school-aged students with the opportunity to learn violin, viola, cello, or double bass in an orchestra setting. Led by Dr. Linsday Fulcher, the project is modeled after the National String Project Consortium.

Learn more about the UNC String Project

Bachelor of Music

The Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance, Strings Concentration, requires 120 credit hours. It includes foundational music coursework such as music theory, aural skills, class piano, history of music, orchestral excerpts, individual applied lessons and the opportunity to attend recitals and concerts by other students and faculty.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance

Master of Music

The Master of Music in Instrumental Performance requires 30-31 credit hours of coursework. It includes an introduction to music scholarship and research, individualized applied lessons, seminars in music history and music theory, pedagogy studies with faculty-mentors, and a culminating recital performance.

Learn more about the Master of Music in Instrumental Performance

 

Doctor of Arts

The Doctor of Arts in Instrumental Performance requires 67-71 credit hours of coursework. Through creating a plan of study, students will be able to pursue academic interests in preparation for comprehensive exams, continue individualized applied lessons, participate in a supervised practicum in college teaching, and give recitals and complete dissertation research credits. Doctoral students will also choose a secondary concentration and complete appropriate graduate-level coursework.

Learn More about the Doctor of Arts

Music Performance Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Performance is a two-semester post-baccalaureate course of study designed for advanced, non-degree seeking students wishing to pursue intense and concentrated musical study in violin, viola, violoncello, double bass and guitar at the graduate level. 

Learn More about the Music Performance Certificate

 Performance Opportunities

Performance opportunities will be available for the UNC Symphony Orchestra, Early Music Ensemble and jazz ensembles. Through these ensembles, students will be able to perform in interdisciplinary collaborations and experience artistry outside of their own areas. Smaller chamber music groups will be available for more individualized and concentrated music-making experiences.

Auditions

In addition to completing the UNC Undergraduate  or Graduate Application, students will be asked to submit more information and audition on a primary instrument in the complete application process. To learn more about the audition process visit the string auditions page to find audition requirements for each instrument.

String Audition Requirements

Scholarships

The College of Performing and Visual Arts awards over $1.8 million in scholarships annually to undergraduate and graduate students in the arts. There are multiple scholarship types offered to students, including talent scholarships and foundation scholarships. To learn more, visit the PVA Scholarship page.

PVA Scholarships