Our string students take weekly private lessons taught by resident faculty members. These students have gone on to study at prestigious graduate programs, and into careers such as music education, collegiate teaching, and membership in major professional orchestras.
Penn State has over 70 string majors, which includes talented students from the US and at least 20 countries. Two resident graduate quartets lead the chamber music program.
Internationally renowned musicians including the Guarneri, Tokyo, Kronos, Emerson, Brentano, St. Lawrence Quartets have given master classes for our students. Solo guest artists have included Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman.
Among Penn State's orchestras, the Philharmonic offers an excellent full orchestral experience, and has performed internationally in Spain, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic. The Philharmonic recently received a standing ovation for their debut performance at Carnegie Hall. The Chamber Orchestra and Campus Orchestra provide other options for students to acquire a varied repertoire. The Baroque Ensemble offers an opportunity to receive training in baroque techniques with the use of gut strings and baroque bows. Performance opportunities also include playing in regional professional orchestras.
