Strings

Strings Area Webpage

 The string area at UNC-CH includes instruction in violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp and guitar. Students can major in those instruments or can study as a non-major.  There are also performance opportunities as a soloist, orchestra member and in chamber music of all kinds. Graduates of the area have gone on to professional careers as solo performers, orchestral musicians, college professors, public school teachers and private instructors. Others maintain involvement with chamber music and community ensembles while pursuing other careers.

COURSE OFFERINGS

The area offers weekly private lessons for both majors and non-majors.  Majors take hour lessons as well as attending a weekly studio class with their major instructor. Non-majors take either hour or 30 minute lessons and may be  invited to attend the studio class by their individual instructor.  Depending on their elected degree program, students generally play in the UNC Symphony Orchestra for many of their semesters on campus.  (Guitarists substitute Guitar Ensemble)  Degree requirements for the BA and BM are posted on the Music Department website, and scholarships generally require a student to play in a large ensemble each semester.   A large variety of chamber music opportunities are also available with weekly coaching by experienced faculty including string quartets and quintets, chamber music with piano,  winds and voice; Baroque Ensemble with harpsichord and period instruments, viola da gamba consort; and New Music Ensembles.  There are also frequent master classes and guest coachings by distinguished artists who are in Chapel Hill to perform in the Department and on the Carolina Performing Arts series. These artists have included Yo Yo Ma, the Arditti Quartet, the Boromeo Quartet, Ken Goldsmith and Nancy Green.  It is also possible to study jazz bass and participate in Jazz area ensembles; and/or to play bowed strings in the Charanga Latin Jazz Ensemble.

RECITALS

Many juniors and seniors present half or full recitals, sometimes earning additional credit.  A frosh or sophomore might also do a recital if deemed appropriate by their instructor following performances in studio class. And chamber ensembles perform on numerous department concerts throughout the year. ( see Department Calendar: University Chamber Players, Wednesday at 4:00, Baroque  Ensemble.)

JURIES

At the end of each semester, students present a jury, the equivalent of a final exam, for a group of faculty in their area. Majors normally prepare 10 minutes of music and non-majors 5 minutes.   Grades are assigned by the major teacher.

AUDITIONS

Students planning to audition for the department as part of their university application should visit the Music Department webpage for procedures and dates. The audition can be considered part of consideration for Scholarship as well as admission, but all appropriate applications must first be submitted to UNC-CH admissions before an audition date will be granted.  String students normally prepare 2 or 3 contrasting pieces that offer opportunity for expressive content, technical achievement, and, ideally, a variety of musical styles, i.e. Baroque/Romantic, Classical/Contemporary .  Students should feel free to contact their potential instructor for more information about these auditions, courses of study, or any other aspects of life in the UNC Music Department.

STRING AREA FACULTY

Dr. Richard Luby
Professor of Violin and Chamber Music
Office: 105 Person Hall
Email: rluby@unc.edu
Phone: 919-962-0908

Mr. Brent Wissick
Professor of Cello and Baroque Ensemble, String Area Chair
Office: 102 Person Hall
Email: bswissic@email.unc.edu
Phone: 919-962-3763

Mr. Hugh Partridge
Viola Instructor
Office: 107 Person Hall
Email: mhpart@bellsouth.net
Phone: 919-962-0909

Dana Friedli
Violin Instructor
Office: 01 Hill Hall
Email: dfriedli@email.unc.edu
Phone: 919-962-3377  

Robert Anderson
Double Bass Instructor
Office: 07 Hill Hall
Email: bobbyone@earthlink.net
Phone: 919-962-1039

William Stewart
Guitar Instructor
Office: 3129 Kenan Music Building
Email: wstewart@email.unc.edu
Phone: 919-843-8903

Jason Foureman
Jazz Bass Instructor