Strings & Guitar
The string program at Western offers private instruction and ensemble opportunities for both music majors and non-majors. Emphasis is on an individualized education in musicianship and technique with a distinguished faculty who have broad backgrounds in solo, chamber and orchestral performance. String students have extensive performing opportunities in orchestra, string chamber orchestra, chamber music, new music, and early music. Additionally, guests are regularly invited to give masterclasses and students have the year-round advantage of performances and coaching by the Faculty String Quartet.
Guitar students at Western have dedicated curricular offerings in Fretboard Harmony, Literature, and Guitar Ensemble as well as weekly applied lessons. Students are encouraged to participate in the annual Northwest Guitar Festival - hosted at Western in 1993, 1999 and 2006 - and have the advantage of concerts and masterclasses by numberous guest artists.
To request a string audition, click here.
Highlights
Masterclasses with guest artists such as:
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Paul Rosenthal (violin)
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Jaap Schroder (violin)
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David Updegraff (violin)
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Eric Wilson (cello)
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Owen Carman (cello)
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Pepe Romero (guitar)
Great performers in recital on campus:
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Kremlin Chamber Orchestra
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Guarneri Quartet
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The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
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Faculty String Quartet
Numberous Ensemble Opportunities:
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University Symphony Orchestra
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String Chamber Orchestra
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Chamber Music
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Contemporary Chamber Players
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Collegium Musicum
Faculty
Walter Schwede, String Area Coordinator, Violin - MM, Catholic University; BM, University of Michigan
Grant Donnellan, Violin - MM, Yale School of Music; BM, Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Eric Kean, Viola - MM, Cleveland Institute of Music; BS, Cornell University
John Friesen, Cello - DMA, University of Southern California; MM, The Juilliard School; BM, University of British Columbia
Ben Musa, Double Bass - Cert. of Performance, MM, Northwestern University; BM, University of Oregon
Jill Whitman, Harp - MM, Western Washington University; BM, University of Washington
David Feingold, Department of Music Chair, Guitar Area Coordinator - MM, Western Washington University; BM, Sarah Lawrence College