Strings Program: Violin, Viola, and Cello

• Tuition and Fees
• Beginning Strings Lab
• Curriculum
• Requirements and Policies
• Student Evaluations
• Calendar

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String Tuition and Fees

Liability Waiver

Each student participating in the Preparatory Division must sign a liability waiver at the beginning of each academic year. Access electronic waiver here, 

Payment

Payment of Preparatory Division tuition and fees must be made online

Please note:

• Preparatory Division programs are full-year, but billed on a semester basis.
• Registration fee is non-refundable.
• Tuition payments made after the 15-day grace period will be charged a late fee.
• Upon registration, you agree to observe all the rules and regulations of the Preparatory Division. You will be responsible for payment of all amounts you owe the university, i.e.: tuition, fees, fines, etc. By registering, you agree to make payments promptly and acknowledge that payments will be applied to charges determined by the university. By registering, you also agree to pay reasonable collection and/or attorney's fees necessary to collect any outstanding balance on your account(s).
• Collection Fees: the Preparatory Division actively pursues to the fullest extent of the law all financial obligations due including, but not limited to, holds on future registration, liens against income tax returns, referrals to collection agencies, or litigation. Any fee or financial obligation if not paid when due is subject to collection and/or attorney's fees.

Refund Policy

• Requests to withdraw from the Program must be submitted in writing to the Director, gretchen.tanner@music.utah.edu or the Assistant Director, prepdiv@music.utah.edu. Verbal requests will not be honored.
• Refunds will not be offered once the semester or camp has started. Please see calendar for dates.

Cancellation

When the teacher has received a 24-hour cancellation notice, one private lesson per semester will be made up at teacher’s convenience. There are no make up times offered for missed group classes. We follow the University of Utah academic calendar. 

Beginning Strings Class/Pedagogy Lab

This lab is designed for students who have never played a string instrument before. We will only accept children ages 5-8. Students receive one group lesson and one private lesson weekly. Music is included in tuition. Labs are 45 minutes long.

All beginner lessons are scheduled by the beginning strings coordinator, Dr. Kasia Borup. Private lesson times will be assigned after registration is closed. Lessons are taught by the String Pedagogy class.

Beginning Strings Calendar

 

Curriculum

Musicianship Class

Classes are held on Mondays from 4:30 - 5:30 and 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Please see calendar for specific class dates. Musicianship classes include: ear training, music theory, and solo performance. Students learn music theory and ear training from basics through first-year college level. Student will perform solo pieces and receive input from the group class teacher on their progress.

Musicianship class meets monthly for one hour. Students are required to attend.

String Artist l

Students engage in a foundational study of music theory fundamentals. This course of study includes training in basic music notation, the core intervals, and music-listening skills. Students explore course content with their instruments, relating concepts directly to their own practice and performance.

String Artist ll

Students expand their understating of the basic fundamentals of music theory. This course of study includes training in music notation, all intervals within the octave, and music-listening skills. Students explore course content with their instruments, relating concepts directly to their own practice and performance.

String Artist lll

Students refine their understating of music theory. This course of study includes advanced training in music notation, standard intervals, and advanced music-listening skills. Students explore course content with their instruments, relating concepts directly to their own practice and performance.

Requirements and Policies

Private Lessons

Private lessons are scheduled individually by each student's parent and their teacher. Students meet weekly with their private teacher. Lesson length is determined at the beginning of each academic year or during the audition. Students are encouraged to arrive 10 minutes early to warm up before lessons.

Student Recitals

Semi-annual recitals offer the opportunity for students to demonstrate their progress to family and friends and help students develop self-confidence and musical mastery.

Practice

Students must practice every day, as successful, satisfying music study depends on consistent, daily practice. Practice length will depend on the length and difficulty of pieces assigned each week. To help them with their daily practice, students under age twelve must have a parent or a guardian attend their lessons and practice daily together. We encourage dialogue between teachers and parents about any issues that will help the student to improve.

Equipment

Instruments must be kept in good repair. Students should bring assigned sheet music, pencil, notebook, and staff paper to each lesson. Beginning students will need to have an instrument by the first day of class.  As children grow, they will need a different instrument, sponge, shoulder rest, and chin rest. We will direct parents to the best location to purchase these items. 

Music

Beginning string students will need: music stand, pencil, and metronome. Music will be provided.

Advanced students will need: appropriate Suzuki Book, etude and theory books which will be assigned by private teachers at the beginning of each year (please purchase editions which include CD), music stand, pencil, metronome, and binder.

Summer String Lessons

The summer session includes 10 private lessons. Students are required to register for a minimum of 5 lessons during summer semester. 

Student Evaluations

Evaluation day takes place during spring semester (see calendar) and is required of all students. The purpose of evaluations is to make sure students are progressing and practicing as required by the program.

• Pieces must be memorized and well rehearsed with the pianist.
• Technical requirements include scales, arpeggios, and etude  for their current level.
• Students who do not complete the requirements will be asked to seek instruction elsewhere.

2025-2026 Calendar

We follow the University Of Utah academic calendar.

 

*Musicianship class date change

 **No classes or lessons

 

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Events