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Strings

The Drake University Department of Music concentrates on providing a superior undergraduate education. You'll study with teachers who are regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized as artists/teachers.

String faculty include:


Audition Guidelines for Music Majors

Audition Guidelines for minors & non-majors are listed in the next section.

Violin & Viola: 

  1. Two contrasting repertoire movements/selections such as unaccompanied works, concerti, or concert pieces.
  2. One major scale and one melodic minor scale OR an étude of your choice.
     
     Violin:   
       List A:  G, A, B-flat, B, C, D
       List B:  A-flat, D-flat, E-flat, E, F, F#
     
    Viola:
       List A:  C, D, E-flat, E, F, G
       List B:  D-flat, F#, A-flat, A, B-flat, B"
     
    Feel free to contact Prof. Rebecca Vieker (rebecca.vieker@drake.edu) with any questions. 

Cello:

  1. A movement of solo Bach.
  2. A movement of a classical or romantic work from the standard repertoire.
  3. An etude of your choice.

String Bass: 

  1. Any two-octave scale and arpeggio in any bowing combination. 
  2. A movement of a classical or romantic work from the standard repertoire. 
  3. An etude of your choice. 

Guitar: 

  1. I-IV-V7-I chord progressions in major: C, D, E, F, G, A, as well as relative minor.
  2. Two octave scale and arpeggio from the Giuliani 120 daily.
  3. An etude such as Aguado, Carcassi, Sor, or Giuliani.
  4. A movement from a concerto or representative work of Tarrega. 

Audition Guidelines for Music Minors & Non-Major Participants

Two contrasting pieces (no orchestral excerpts or chamber music).


Admission & Fine Arts Scholarships:

The Department of Music offers attractive Fine Arts Scholarships for all talented students interested in a music major or minor; there are some Fine Arts Scholarships available for non-majors who want to participate in the ensemble programs. In order to qualify both for admission to the Department of Music and for a Fine Arts Scholarship, prospective students must audition by February 20, 2026.

Degrees available for string students:

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