Bachelor of Music in String Performance
Program Overview
Boston Conservatory at Berklee's string performance program offers a reimagined approach to training aspiring professional artists who are polished performers, articulate communicators, creative collaborators, experts in traditional and standard repertoire, and curators of new music.
Throughout the four-year program, students have many opportunities to perform as soloists and as members of the school’s various ensembles. In order to replicate the pacing and structure of a professional music company, every two weeks throughout the semester, students rehearse and perform with a new ensemble, including symphonic orchestras, chamber ensembles, string quartets, and pit orchestras for dance, opera, and theater productions. Students are also encouraged to work with peer composers, instrumentalists, and vocalists to explore different styles and practice collaborating with various types of artists.
The Conservatory’s string faculty comprises internationally renowned soloists, teachers, award winners, and chamber music performers. With relevant, real-world experience and a healthy variety of teaching approaches, faculty members give students valuable artistic insight and foster a familial environment in which students can grow.
Our Students
Students who thrive in the Conservatory’s string performance program understand that the music industry is changing. They have a strong desire to become versatile artists and possess the skills and drive to both recognize and create career opportunities. They want the specialized training needed to become the most skilled string players possible, but also want opportunities to supplement their focus and expand their perspectives. Perhaps most importantly, Conservatory string students are passionate about music and are prepared to fully dedicate themselves to a life in the arts.
Curriculum Overview
The first two years of the Conservatory’s rigorous string performance training focus on establishing a solid foundation of standard repertoire and practical musical skills, such as sight reading, music theory, rhythmic embodiment, harmonization, and improvisation. At the same time, students work to strengthen their technical and performance skills in weekly private lessons, seminar classes, and ensemble and chamber performances.
In their junior and senior years, students delve deeper into their musical studies and can customize their academic path to reflect their career goals. They may choose from a variety of elective courses available between the Conservatory and Berklee College of Music, including career skills, the Alexander Technique, arts journalism, and nonverbal communication. For their degree recitals, students are responsible for coordinating with their fellow student instrumentalists and vocalists to produce a well-rounded program of music. Meanwhile, students are encouraged to keep an active performance schedule with Conservatory and Boston-area ensembles.
Program Requirements (Violin/Viola)
The Bachelor of Music in String Performance requires students to complete 120 credits, consisting of the course requirements listed below. View the Sample Curriculum by Semester for details.
Core Studies
- M-SK 1101 Harmony & Counterpoint 1 (2 credits)
- M-SK 1102 Harmony & Counterpoint 2 (2 credits)
- M-SK 1103 Ear Training 1 (2 credits)
- M-SK 1104 Ear Training 2 (2 credits)
- M-SK 1105 Time & Rhythm 1 (1 credit)
- M-SK 1106 Time & Rhythm 2 (1 credit)
- M-SK 2101 Harmony & Counterpoint 3 (2 credits)
- M-SK 2102 Harmony & Counterpoint 4 (2 credits)
- M-SK 2103 Ear Training 3 (2 credits)
- M-SK 2104 Ear Training 4 (2 credits)
- M-SK 2601 Piano Class 1 (1 credit)
- M-SK 2602 Piano Class 2 (1 credit)
- M-SK 719xx Applied Theory and/or M-LT 711xx Theory & Musicology electives (6 credits total; 2 credits each)
Major Requirements
- M-AP 0009 Applied lessons (24 credits total; 3 credits each)
- M-EN 0401 Orchestral Repertoire 1: Strings (1 credit)
- M-EN 0402 Orchestral Repertoire 2: Strings (1 credit)
- M-EN 0069 Instrumental Ensemble (8 credits total; 1 credit each)
- M-EN 0079 Chamber Music (6 credits total; 1 credit each)
- M-PD 0401 Pedagogy 1: Strings (1 credit)
- M-PD 0402 Pedagogy 2: Strings (1 credit)
- M-PR 0009 Concert & Recital Attendance (0 credits; completed four times)
- M-PR 1401 Foundations of Instrumental Studies 1: Strings (1 credit)
- M-PR 1402 Foundations of Instrumental Studies 2: Strings (1 credit)
- M-SK 0009 Recital (0 credits; completed two times)
- M-SK 0991 Conducting 1 (1 credit)
- M-ST 0009 Applied Lesson Studio Class (0 credits; completed eight times)
- M-ST 0401 Orchestral Excerpts (1 credit)
- M-ST 0419 Performance Seminar: Strings (4 credits total; 1 credit each)
General Education and Liberal Arts
- A-xx 739xx Africana Studies or L-CM 739xx Liberal Arts elective: Arts & Humanities (3 credits)
- A-xx 749xx Africana Studies or L-CM 749xx Liberal Arts elective: Social Sciences (3 credits)
- A-xx 759xx Africana Studies or L-CM 759xx Liberal Arts elective: Math/Science (3 credits)
- A-xx 7x9xx Africana Studies or L-CM 7x9xx Liberal Arts electives (12 credits total; 3 credits each)
- C-PR 1001 Introduction to Creative Media Technology (1 credit)
- L-CM 1301 Introduction to College Writing (3 credits)
- L-CM 1302 Literature Topics (3 credits)
- M-LT 1103 Music and Culture in Context (2 credits)
- M-LT 1104 Narratives of Music History 1: Antiquity and the Renaissance (2 credits)
- M-LT 2103 Narratives of Music History 2: The Baroque and Classical Periods (2 credits)
- M-LT 2104 Narratives of Music History 3: Romanticism (2 credits)
- M-LT 3103 Narratives of Music History 4: Post-Romanticism and Modernism through WWII (2 credits)
- M-LT 3104 Narratives of Music History 5: Modern Contexts and Narratives Post-1950 (2 credits)
- Xxxxx General electives (4 credits total)
Program Requirements (Cello)
The Bachelor of Music in String Performance requires students to complete 120 credits,, consisting of the course requirements listed below. View the Sample Curriculum by Semester for details.
Core Studies
- M-SK 1101 Harmony & Counterpoint 1 (2 credits)
- M-SK 1102 Harmony & Counterpoint 2 (2 credits)
- M-SK 1103 Ear Training 1 (2 credits)
- M-SK 1104 Ear Training 2 (2 credits)
- M-SK 1105 Time & Rhythm 1 (1 credit)
- M-SK 1106 Time & Rhythm 2 (1 credit)
- M-SK 2101 Harmony & Counterpoint 3 (2 credits)
- M-SK 2102 Harmony & Counterpoint 4 (2 credits)
- M-SK 2103 Ear Training 3 (2 credits)
- M-SK 2104 Ear Training 4 (2 credits)
- M-SK 2601 Piano Class 1 (1 credit)
- M-SK 2602 Piano Class 2 (1 credit)
- M-SK 719xx Applied Theory and/or M-LT 711xx Theory & Musicology electives (6 credits total; 2 credits each)
Major Requirements
- M-AP 0009 Applied lessons (24 credits total; 3 credits each)
- M-EN 0401 Orchestral Repertoire 1: Strings (1 credit)
- M-EN 0402 Orchestral Repertoire 2: Strings (1 credit)
- M-EN 0069 Instrumental Ensemble (8 credits total; 1 credit each)
- M-EN 0079 Chamber Music (6 credits total; 1 credit each)
- M-PD 0403 Pedagogy 1: Low Strings (1 credit)
- M-PD 0404 Pedagogy 2: Low Strings (1 credit)
- M-PR 0009 Concert & Recital Attendance (0 credits; completed four times)
- M-PR 1401 Foundations of Instrumental Studies 1: Strings (1 credit)
- M-PR 1402 Foundations of Instrumental Studies 2: Strings (1 credit)
- M-SK 0009 Recital (0 credits; completed two times)
- M-SK 0991 Conducting 1 (1 credit)
- M-ST 0009 Applied Lesson Studio Class (0 credits; completed eight times)
- M-ST 0401 Orchestral Excerpts (1 credit)
- M-ST 0419 Performance Seminar: Strings (4 credits totals; 1 credit each)
General Education and Liberal Arts
- A-xx 739xx Africana Studies or L-CM 739xx Liberal Arts elective: Arts & Humanities (3 credits)
- A-xx 749xx Africana Studies or L-CM 749xx Liberal Arts elective: Social Sciences (3 credits)
- A-xx 759xx Africana Studies or L-CM 759xx Liberal Arts elective: Math/Science (3 credits)
- A-xx 7x9xx Africana Studies or L-CM 7x9xx Liberal Arts electives (12 credits total; 3 credits each)
- C-PR 1001 Introduction to Creative Media Technology (1 credit)
- L-CM 1301 Introduction to College Writing (3 credits)
- L-CM 1302 Literature Topics (3 credits)
- M-LT 1103 Music and Culture in Context (2 credits)
- M-LT 1104 Narratives of Music History 1: Antiquity and the Renaissance (2 credits)
- M-LT 2103 Narratives of Music History 2: The Baroque and Classical Periods (2 credits)
- M-LT 2104 Narratives of Music History 3: Romanticism (2 credits)
- M-LT 3103 Narratives of Music History 4: Post-Romanticism and Modernism through WWII (2 credits)
- M-LT 3104 Narratives of Music History 5: Modern Contexts and Narratives Post-1950 (2 credits)
- Xxxxx General electives (4 credits total)
Program Requirements (Double Bass)
The Bachelor of Music in String Performance requires students to complete 120 credits, consisting of the course requirements listed below. View the Sample Curriculum by Semester for additional details.
Core Studies
- M-SK 1101 Harmony & Counterpoint 1 (2 credits)
- M-SK 1102 Harmony & Counterpoint 2 (2 credits)
- M-SK 1103 Ear Training 1 (2 credits)
- M-SK 1104 Ear Training 2 (2 credits)
- M-SK 1105 Time & Rhythm 1 (1 credit)
- M-SK 1106 Time & Rhythm 2 (1 credit)
- M-SK 2101 Harmony & Counterpoint 3 (2 credits)
- M-SK 2102 Harmony & Counterpoint 4 (2 credits)
- M-SK 2103 Ear Training 3 (2 credits)
- M-SK 2104 Ear Training 4 (2 credits)
- M-SK 2601 Piano Class 1 (1 credit)
- M-SK 2602 Piano Class 2 (1 credit)
- M-SK 719xx Applied Theory and/or M-LT 711xx Theory & Musicology electives (6 credits total; 2 credits each)
Major Requirements
- M-AP 0009 Applied lessons (24 credits total; 3 credits each)
- M-EN 0069 Instrumental Ensemble (8 credits total; 1 credit each)
- M-EN 0079 Chamber Music (4 credits total; 1 credit each)
- M-PD 0403 Pedagogy 1: Low Strings (1 credit)
- M-PD 0404 Pedagogy 2: Low Strings (1 credit)
- M-PR 0009 Concert & Recital Attendance (0 credits; completed four times)
- M-PR 1401 Foundations of Instrumental Studies 1: Strings (1 credit)
- M-PR 1402 Foundations of Instrumental Studies 2: Strings (1 credit)
- M-SK 0009 Recital (0 credits; completed two times)
- M-SK 0991 Conducting 1 (1 credit)
- M-ST 0009 Applied Lesson Studio Class (0 credits; completed eight times)
- M-ST 0419 Performance Seminar: Strings (2 credits totals; 1 credit each)
- M-ST 0429 Performance Seminar: Double Bass (4 credits totals; 1 credit each)
General Education and Liberal Arts
- A-xx 739xx Africana Studies or L-CM 739xx Liberal Arts elective: Arts & Humanities (3 credits)
- A-xx 749xx Africana Studies or L-CM 749xx Liberal Arts elective: Social Sciences (3 credits)
- A-xx 759xx Africana Studies or L-CM 759xx Liberal Arts elective: Math/Science (3 credits)
- A-xx 7x9xx Africana Studies or L-CM 7x9xx Liberal Arts electives (12 credits total; 3 credits each)
- C-PR 1001 Introduction to Creative Media Technology (1 credit)
- L-CM 1301 Introduction to College Writing (3 credits)
- L-CM 1302 Literature Topics (3 credits)
- M-LT 1103 Music and Culture in Context (2 credits)
- M-LT 1104 Narratives of Music History 1: Antiquity and the Renaissance (2 credits)
- M-LT 2103 Narratives of Music History 2: The Baroque and Classical Periods (2 credits)
- M-LT 2104 Narratives of Music History 3: Romanticism (2 credits)
- M-LT 3103 Narratives of Music History 4: Post-Romanticism and Modernism through WWII (2 credits)
- M-LT 3104 Narratives of Music History 5: Modern Contexts and Narratives Post-1950 (2 credits)
- Xxxxx General electives (5 credits total)
What You Will Learn
The Bachelor of Music in String Performance program features a range of course experiences to allow students to build a toolkit of the skills required for success as an impactful artist-performer today. Upon successful completion of the program, students will:
- prepare and accurately perform a wide range of musical styles, genre, and repertoire through the foundation of technique and musical comprehension developed in applied instrumental lessons, large and small ensemble experiences, coachings, master classes, and observations, as well as through genre-specific repertoire courses, and the study of string pedagogy, music theory, and music history;
- apply ear-training skills, knowledge of theoretical and harmonic analysis, as well as historical context to the study and performance of a score;
- sustain and build upon their instrumental technique, based upon their understanding of the foundational techniques of their instrument, studied in applied lessons as well as in string pedagogy;
- perform with meaning and context, informed by an ability to analyze and place into context the material of a score;
- develop and foster meaningful artistic collaborations with partners across the musical and artistic spectrum;
- cultivate meaningful connections to the communities in which they teach and perform, informed by their experiences in large and small ensembles, and through special partnership programs at Boston Conservatory; and
- establish an artistic identity that represents their individuality, celebrating music of past and present, and serving as a champion for the future of our industry.
Your Future
Graduates of Boston Conservatory’s string performance program enjoy international prestige as competition winners, solo performers, recording artists, and members of acclaimed chamber groups and orchestras. Many have also gone on to establish innovative music programs and new ensembles with the aim of using music to connect with and transform their communities.
Ensembles
- Boston Pops Orchestra
- Boston String Quartet
- Boston Symphony Orchestra
- Chicago Civic Symphony Orchestra
- Florida Orchestra
- Fortuna Piano Trio
- iPalpiti Artists International
- Meccorre String Quartet
- National Repertory Orchestra
- New World Symphony
- Sarasota Opera Orchestra
- Singapore Symphony
- Tessera String Quartet
- Vancouver Symphony
- Welsh National Opera Orchestra
- The Young Eight
Fellowships
- Aspen Music Festival
- Banff Music Festival
- National Orchestra Institute
- Tanglewood Music Center
- The Pacific Music Festival
Faculty Appointments
- Boston Conservatory at Berklee
- Istanbul University State Conservatory
- Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- University of Nebraska—Omaha
Awards
- American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition
- American String Teachers' Association National Solo Competition
- Banff International String Quartet Competition
- Chamber Music Foundation of New England International Competition
- Massachusetts American String Teachers' Association Solo and Chamber Music Competition
- Premio Paolo Borciani International String Quartet Competition
- Sphinx Competition and Sphinx Virtuosi Tour
- Vittorio Veneto Competition
- Washington International Solo Competition