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Strings

The Conservatory's String Department features a world-class faculty who are active performers in orchestras, chamber groups and festivals around the world. Small studio size and a close-knit faculty allow students to work closely not only with their studio teacher, but with other members of the string faculty as well. Opportunities to play music of many genres and eras, to perform in chamber groups and orchestras, and to compete in competitions complement private studies. The program's close inter-departmental collaborations and strong connections to the outside music scene prepare graduates for the music world beyond SFCM.

Cello
Double Bass
Harp
Viola
Violin

CELLO DEPARTMENT: AT A GLANCE
  · 2 cello faculty
  · Small studio size rarely exceeds 20
  · Opportunities to play chamber music and receive coaching by
    chamber faculty
  · Weekly studio class
  · Annual String Concerto Competition - winner performs with the
    Conservatory Orchestra
  · 6+ Conservatory Orchestra concerts a year
  · 6+ Baroque Ensemble performances a year
  · 6+ New Music Ensemble performances a year
  · Recent master classes include Bonnie Hampton and Norman
    Fischer

FACULTY

Jennifer Culp
Jean-Michel Fonteneau


We encourage prospective students to contact the cello faculty to arrange a consultative lesson. The cello faculty and the Office of Music Admission are happy to answer any specific questions that you have about our program.

LINK TO APPLICATION INFORMATION

LINK TO AUDITION REPERTOIRE

DOUBLE BASS DEPARTMENT: AT A GLANCE
  · 2 double bass faculty, both members of the San Francisco
    Symphony
  · Small program of 6-8 students
  · Weekly studio class
  · Opportunities to play chamber music and receive coaching by
    chamber faculty
  · Recent master classes include Jeffrey Weisner
  · Annual String Concerto Competition - winner performs with the
    Conservatory Orchestra
  · 6+ Conservatory Orchestra concerts a year
  · 6+ Baroque Ensemble performances a year
  · 6+ New Music Ensemble performances a year

FACULTY

Scott Pingel
Stephen Tramontozzi


We encourage prospective students to contact the double bass faculty to arrange a consultative lesson. The bass faculty and the Office of Music Admission are happy to answer any specific questions that you have about our program.

LINK TO APPLICATION INFORMATION

LINK TO AUDITION REPERTOIRE

HARP DEPARTMENT: AT A GLANCE
  · 2 harp faculty
  · Small program of 3-4 students
  · Weekly harp class
  · Bi-Annual Harp Concerto Competition - winner performs with
    the Conservatory Orchestra
  · 6+ Conservatory Orchestra concerts a year
  · 6+ Baroque Ensemble performances a year
  · 6+ New Music Ensemble performances a year


FACULTY

Marcella De Cray, chair
Douglas Rioth


We encourage prospective students to contact the harp faculty to arrange a consultative lesson. The harp faculty and the Office of Music Admission are happy to answer any specific questions that you have about our program.

LINK TO APPLICATION INFORMATION

LINK TO AUDITION REPERTOIRE

VIOLA DEPARTMENT: AT A GLANCE
  · 5 viola faculty
  · Small program of under 20 students
  · Weekly studio class
  · Opportunities to play chamber music and receive coaching by
    chamber faculty
  · Annual String Concerto Competition - winner performs with the
    Conservatory Orchestra
  · 6+ Conservatory Orchestra concerts a year
  · 6+ Baroque Ensemble performances a year
  · 6+ New Music Ensemble performances a year
  · Master classes with artists such as Kim Kashkashian (to visit in
    2008-09)

FACULTY

Don Ehrlich
Leonid Gesin
Paul Hersh
Katie Kadarauch
Jodi Levitz
Madeline Prager

We encourage prospective students to contact the viola faculty to arrange a consultative lesson. The viola faculty and the Office of Music Admission are happy to answer any specific questions that you have about our program.

LINK TO APPLICATION INFORMATION

LINK TO AUDITION REPERTOIRE

VIOLIN DEPARTMENT: AT A GLANCE
  · 5 violin faculty
  · Small program of around 45 students
  · Weekly studio class
  · Opportunities to play chamber music and receive coaching by chamber faculty
  · Annual String Concerto Competition - winner performs with the Conservatory Orchestra
  · 6+ Conservatory Orchestra concerts a year
  · 6+ Baroque Ensemble performances a year
  · 6+ New Music Ensemble performances a year
  · Recent master classes include Gil Shaham and Robert Mann

FACULTY

Alexander Barantschik
Wei He
Bettina Mussumeli
Axel Strauss
Ian Swensen

We encourage prospective students to contact the violin faculty to arrange a consultative lesson. The violin faculty and the Office of Music Admission are happy to answer any specific questions that you have about our program.

LINK TO APPLICATION INFORMATION

LINK TO AUDITION REPERTOIRE