At the UBC School of Music, strings students train with world-class faculty and join a community of talented, dynamic students and future collaborators. You’ll have the opportunity to make lifelong friendships and establish exciting musical partnerships!
The goal of the Strings Division is to develop the “complete player” — musicians who are equally comfortable performing solo, chamber, and orchestral repertoire. We provide a nurturing and caring environment where private studio lessons are the foundation of your training.
Our faculty are dedicated, passionate teachers and mentors, as well as internationally renowned, award-winning musicians. You can explore all Strings faculty here.
Our students and alumni are similarly successful, performing in orchestras around the world, from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to the Berlin Philharmonic, and in ensembles such as Borealis String Quartet and the Fine Arts Quartet. They teach at major universities in Canada and the U.S., and even blaze new trails in pop music.
WATCH: Highlights from StringFest!
AWARD-WINNING STUDENT ENSEMBLES
Large and small and incredibly diverse, our student ensembles range in size from trios and quartets to the 110-member UBC Symphony Orchestra. Strings students perform in the Symphony Orchestra, Contemporary Players, Early Music, Collegium Musicum, UBC Opera productions, and diverse chamber ensembles. Check out our huge concert archive to get a sense of just how good our students are.
WATCH: UBC Chamber Strings perform Elgar’s Serenade for Strings, Op. 20
CAREER DEVELOPMENT WHILE YOU STUDY
As much as possible, the School of Music helps students to explore and develop different career opportunities while still studying. There are a multitude of post-degree paths for musicians and music scholars. Whether you plan to pursue a career as an orchestral musician, a scholar, an educator, or a producer, you can get a head start by:
- Joining one of the student ensembles, some of which do summer tours around North America and the world;
- Auditioning for the Student Performance Engagement List;
- Enrolling in one of our professional development programs;
- Or taking advantage of our non-degree education offerings, such as conducting symposia, vocal workshops, masterclasses offered by world-class guest artists, and more.
Graduates from the Strings Division currently work in major symphony orchestras, opera orchestras, chamber ensembles, musical theatre, early music group, and music production around the world. Many of our graduates also hold prestigious appointments in universities, colleges, and public schools.
WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES
Our music students rehearse and perform in UBC’s world-class concert halls and performance spaces. From the state-of-the-art Chan Centre for Performing Arts, one of North America’s premier musical venues, to the historic Old Auditorium and intimate Roy Barnett Recital Hall, you will have the opportunity to train and grow as a professional musician in front of enthusiastic audiences.
The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts is one of three venues where UBC Music students rehearse and perform. Photo: Tim Matheson
COME VISIT US AND ATTEND A FREE CONCERT!
Prospective students can meet faculty members by attending any number of concerts on campus from now until April. We invite you to attend our large ensemble concerts, performed by the UBC Choirs, Bands, and Orchestra, Opera productions held in the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts and the Old Auditorium.
Email for free tickets for certain events. A lot of our chamber music, divisional recitals, and student recitals are already free — just come and see. If you’re applying from a distance, check out our concerts on Livestream and imagine yourself here!
QUESTIONS?
Do you have questions about the application process? You are not alone! Sometimes the application process can seem complicated. If you’d like to talk to someone about the graduate or undergraduate programs here at the School of Music, please do get in touch.
Jasper Wood, Chair of the Strings Division, is your contact for any string specific questions. Katherine Evans, Manager of Admissions, is your primary contact for the undergraduate (B.Mus. and Diploma) programs. Leanne Murao, the Graduate Admissions Secretary, is your contact for graduate program information. Amy Farahbakhsh is our Music Advisor and can provide detailed information about certain programs.
