Private Lessons

Lessons are scheduled with the professor and meet weekly. These lessons focus on technique, style, & musicianship.

Studio Class

Meets every Monday from 3-4 p.m. Additional sectional, technique class, or viola quartet coaching meets every Friday from 3-4 p.m.

Chamber Music

This program is a great way for musicians to work in small ensembles such as trios, quartets, etc. These groups are often arranged by the professor. While some groups are comprised of one instrument, many others include a mixture of instruments.

String Project

The String Project is a unique program within Illinois State University that allows string players to teach aspiring students. This program helps to strengthen educational foundations for the players and for the young teachers. These lessons and workshops focus on posture, note reading, technique & more. More information can be found on The String Project page. 

Undergraduate

For undergraduate admission, students should prepare: two contrasting pieces (or movements of larger works) and one short etude for admission to the School of Music. The following suggestions are representative of acceptable repertoire for undergraduate admission auditions. Students should not hesitate to use music similar in nature and difficulty.

• Sonata movements by Vivaldi, Marcello, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms
• Concerto movements by J.C. Bach/Casadesus, Handel/Casadesus, Stamitz, Hoffmeister, Forsyth, Walton
• Short works by Bruch, Bloch, Clarke
• Prelude or dance movement from Bach Cello Suites I – III
• Etudes: Wohlfahrt, Mazas, Kreutzer

Graduate Auditions

For graduate admission, students should prepare a minimum of: one full movement of a standard concerto; one full movement of a sonata, one movement of a Bach suite; one etude. The following suggestions are representative of acceptable repertoire for graduate admission auditions. Students should not hesitate to use music similar in nature and difficulty.

• Sonatas: Brahms, Shostakovich, Schubert, Clarke, Hindemith
• Concerti: Stamitz, Hoffmeister, Walton, Forsyth, Hindemith, Bartok
• Bach: Cello Suites II – V or a movement of a Violin Sonata or Partita
• Etudes: Kretuzer, Campagnoli, Rode, Dont, Palaschko

On Campus

• Symphony Orchestra
• ISU Lab Orchestra
• Viola Ensemble
• ASTA activities
• Fall Viola Studio Recital
• String Area Recitals
• Convocation Recitals
• String Chamber Music Recitals
• Redbird Road Concerts
• Master classes with guest artists

Off Campus

• ASTA events
• Redbird Road Concerts
• Viola Christmas
• Sub/section auditions with various regional orchestras (via successful audition or invitation)

Yearly artist-teacher guests including

• Karen Ritscher
• Jeff Irvine
• James Dunham
• Peter Slowik
• Stephen Wyrczynski

Additional specialists in Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Suzuki Pedagogy, orchestral and chamber music studies.

• Katie Brown (B.M.E. 2015): founder/co-host Classically Black Podcast; viola fellow, Memphis Symphony Orchestra; M.M. performance/education Eastman School of Music
• Abigail Dreher (B.M.E./Performance 2016): music teacher, Aspen Community School and lead teacher of beginning and continuing strings programs for Aspen Music Festival and School
• Andrew François (B.M. Performance 2012): violist, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; Los Angeles Philharmonic Resident Fellow alum; New World Symphony alum; M.M., Indiana University.
• Breann Laermans (B.M.E. 2019): strings teacher, Danville Public Schools
• Rachel Tatar (B.M.E. 2015): strings teacher, Joilet Public Schools
• Regina Vendetti (B.M.E./Performance 2019): graduate studies in performance and education, University of Colorado Boulder fellowship
• Matthew White (B.M.E. 2015): orchestra director, Scullen Middle School, Naperville, IL
• Eileen Wronkiewicz (B.M.E. 2015): orchestra director, Woodlawn Middle School, Long Grove, IL