String Performance
Faculty: Department Chair
Leslie Straka (viola), Fritz Gearhart (violin),
Kathryn Lucktenberg (violin), Steven Pologe (cello) (chair), Tyler Abbott (classical double bass/jazz bass), Laura Zaerr (harp)

The University of Oregon School of Music and Dance has a string program that is among the most varied and comprehensive of any music school in the United States today.

There are also many opportunities for students to develop their performance and audition skills through weekly performance classes, monthly departmental performance classes, solo and chamber music recitals, and special classes with visiting artists such as the Emerson String Quartet and New York Philharmonic Concertmaster Glenn Dictorow.

Student chamber ensembles participate in weekly private lessons with one of our artist/faculty members. The string faculty is equally committed to preparing young performers for careers as symphony orchestra musicians. There are regular rehearsals and performances by the University Symphony under the direction of Wayne Bennett, as well as sectionals and symphony repertoire classes conducted by the string faculty. While most of the students participating in ensembles are music majors, both the University Symphony and chamber ensembles are open to students majoring in other fields.

Performance degrees are offered at the Bachelor, Master's and Doctoral (Primary and Supporting) levels. The University of Oregon also maintains a strong program in music education, where students have the opportunity to enroll in specialized course work leading to degrees in Music Education.