CalArts’ specialization in Strings studies surveys Western musical repertoire from the medieval to the modern, and continues forward, emphasizing contemporary styles, diverse musical cultures, improvisation, digital media, and interdisciplinary performance.
Students of violin, viola, cello, and contrabass are provided with a full range of challenging repertoire, ensemble performance opportunities, and supplemental coursework in support of their metier. The curriculum features weekly seminars on performance practice and technique, often with distinguished visiting artists from around the globe. Intensive ensemble work involves performing with an eclectic variety of chamber groups and large ensembles, including the school’s principal conducted faculty-student group, the Ensemble at CalArts.
Students at all levels acquire the creative versatility and global cultural awareness to apply their individual musical voices to a broad spectrum of professional opportunities and settings.
BFA
BFA degree requirements:
At the undergraduate level, the curriculum is designed for string players to master performance skills and musical knowledge at the highest level. Students of violin, viola, cello, and contrabass hone their skills through major lessons, string workshops, performance forums, and intensive ensemble work. Students also take classes in composition, creative skills, and pedagogy are also incorporated.
MFA
MFA degree requirements
At the master’s level, students refine their practice through experimentation and cross-disciplinary explorations. Strings MFA studies provides a challenging forum for accomplished students of violin, viola, cello, and contrabass to explore advanced performance techniques and a greater range of stylistic directions, as they develop their individual artistic profiles, build creative versatility, and prepare for professional careers after graduation.
In addition to major lessons, string workshops, and advanced classes in music history, literature, theory, and analysis, MFA candidates perform in a variety of chamber and large ensembles. Players further hone their skills in extended techniques, improvisation, and interpretation through a number of more specialized groups, covering Baroque, jazz, electronic, improvisational, and experimental music, as well as cross-genre work. As part of preparation for the professional world, the MFA curriculum also incorporates classes in pedagogy and career design.