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String Area

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Violin | Viola | Cello | Bass | Guitar

Intro

The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire’s Music and Theatre Arts Department has a proud tradition of excellence in string performance. As an undergraduate-only program, we are dedicated to providing personalized attention and meaningful experiences for our students. Our string community is woven together by close-knit relationships and one-on-one mentorship from talented faculty.

Whether you are pursuing a major or minor in music or just following a passion, all Blugolds are welcome to audition for and participate in the opportunities provided by the Music and Theatre Arts Department.

Explore over 200 Music and Theatre Arts performances to attend and enjoy!
2025-26 SEASON TICKETS COMING SOON!

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University Symphony Orchestra

The orchestra's activities include performing a concert every spring and fall semester, and the annual Holiday Concert and Viennese Ball.

Student leans back while playing a saxophone on stage

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Jazz Ensembles & Combos

Bass and guitar players can enjoy many performance opportunities with our award-winning and nationally recognized Jazz Area.

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Production Orchestra Pits

Perform full-staged operas, musicals, and student-led variety shows. Recent Opera and musical productions have included 'Don Giovanni' by W. A. Mozart and the musical, 'Sweeney Todd' by Stephen Sondheim. Since 1978, Cabaret Productions has provided string students the opportunity to arrange and perform for an annual student-led variety show.

String students riverside under the walking bridge on campus

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Chamber Ensembles

Chamber music is an essential aspect of music making in the music program at UWEC. Performing with a smaller group of musicians in a chamber group provides students with the opportunity to further develop their musicianship skills and to form close bonds with their peers.

Tulio Rondon teaching student string quartet players.

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Faculty-Guided Ensembles

String players have plentiful string-exclusive ensembles to choose from including: Chamber and Baroque Orchestra, Electric Cello Quartet, Gamba Consort, and Blugold Quartet.

University Symphony Orchestra

The University Symphony Orchestra is a select ensemble of musicians consisting of both music major/minor and non-major string, wind, and percussion students. This ensemble performs extensive symphonic repertoire such as symphonies by Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Debussy, Stravinsky, Richard Strauss, and Wagner. Nobuyoshi Yasuda, conductor.

Students playing in the Clearwater Recital Hall in Pablo Center

Eileen Phillips Cohen String Quartet

All four members of the Eileen Phillips Cohen String Quartet receive full in-state tuition for the academic year, and there is the potential for the scholarship to cover a full four-year degree. Financial need is not a consideration. The Quartet is coached regularly by UWEC string faculty, is featured at major departmental and university events, and provides regular recitals. The recipients of the scholarships are also expected to be leaders of the University Symphony Orchestra. The generosity of the L.E. Phillips Family Foundation has created an opportunity for music students through this scholarship rarely seen at the undergraduate level.

Turn Your Talent into a Career

Designed for those aspiring to become performing artists or private studio instructors, the Applied-Instrumental or Music Education degrees from UW-Eau Claire pair a rigorous curriculum with valuable, professional teaching and performance experiences. Transform your passion for music into professional excellence in our rigorous program accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Take advantage of performance opportunities such as participating in solo recitals, competing in concerto competitions, partaking in guest artist master classes, and collaborating with faculty on research and performance projects. The Department of Music and Theatre Arts offers a wide variety of ensembles to meet the musical and artistic needs of all students at UWEC. These ensembles will push your creative boundaries, facilitate collaboration with experts in your field, and connect you with students who share your creative passion.

Cellist Dr. Tulio Rondon coaching the Cohen Scholarship Quartet in Phillips Recital Hall

String Music Education

Encouraging the love of music and helping youth hone their musical skills is a noble calling. Music education has been central to UWEC since its foundation in 1917. We have a 100% placement rate for our music education graduates of whom we are very proud.

Academic & Performance Facilities

Known for its vibrant music scene, both UW-Eau Claire and the city of Eau Claire offer many unique spaces to showcase and polish your skills.

Career Preparation

Students are provided rare opportunities that encourage them to actively shape their careers while in school. Start building your professional network through our string faculty and their connections at every level of the industry. The String Area is committed to ensuring students graduate with a strong sense of confidence and invaluable real-world experience, enabling them to approach their careers with both expertise and hands-on knowledge to navigate a rewording career in music. Recent graduates have gone on to serve as orchestra conductors and teachers, pursue degrees in top graduate programs, establish private music studios, perform professionally, and much more.

Studying Guitar

Study under Dr. Felipe Vargas Magdaleno and gain a comprehensive, personalized guitar education. Whether your primary focus is classical, jazz, or contemporary styles, guitar students experience well-rounded curriculum that balances technical development, creative exploration, and practical musicianship. Guitar students participate in solo recitals, chamber music ensembles, jazz combos, classical guitar quartets, and large ensemble settings such as jazz bands.

Personalized Instruction

Our string faculty, who are active performers and supportive pedagogues, provide string students with weekly individual lessons where you'll prepare a variety of solo repertoire and perform frequently in a studio class of your colleagues. The String Area supports a series each year with guest artists from across the country who perform and provide masterclasses for students.

Our applied wind, brass, percussion, composition, piano, string, and voice studios are competitive and require an audition to gain personal access to one-on-one training in your musical focus.

2023 Bass Day participants with guest Double Bass professional

Educational Festivals

Each year we connect outstanding musicians of all ages across the region to experience immersive educational experiences with faculty and guest artists. Visit the link below for information about our annual festival style events and find out how you or your school ensemble can get involved!