Handbook for Undergraduate and Graduate Students in String Instrument Courses

March 2026

Applied Instruction Courses

The requirements in all applied strings courses are designed to promote the maximum growth of the individual musician through acquiring the techniques of healthy physical approach (i.e. posture, setup), left- and right-hand facility, aural perception and tone production; furthering the technical and expressive skills and the appropriate interpretation of solo and ensemble literature; and becoming knowledgeable about the historical and cultural backgrounds of the repertoire studied. Pedagogy topics are also included.

Undergraduate

Graduate

Chamber Music Courses

Degree Recital Courses

Purpose of this Handbook and Student Responsibilities

All undergraduate and graduate students in the String Area are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the content in this document.

Graduate students should use this handbook for general String Area-specific information; however, your primary handbooks are the:

• Graduate School Handbook
• School of Music Graduate Handbook

Advising

Undergraduate

• Academic advisor: Dr. Emily Klepinger. Email klepinger.13@osu.edu
• Undergraduate curriculum sheets

Graduate 

• Student advising: the primary studio instructor
• Graduate Advising — important procedures and forms
• Graduate curriculum sheets

Minimum Repertory Guidelines

Repertoire will be determined in consultation with the individual studio instructor.

Grading Policy 

Criteria may include:

• Attendance
• Studio Class Attendance and Participation
• String Area Departmental and Recital Attendance and Performance
• Satisfactory Completion of Semester Repertoire and Assigned Requirements
• Musical Progress
• Interest and Scholarly Understanding
• Concert attendance 

Consult your individual instructor’s applied lessons syllabus for more specific information.

Recital Procedures

Scheduling 

Students should schedule a required recital early in the academic year in which the recital is to be given. Scheduling occurs according to seniority and recital type. An email notice is sent to students in approximately Week #10 of each semester to announce that the scheduling window is open for the following semester.

Follow the steps and procedures at Student Recital Guidelines and Scheduling.

Students will schedule their recital in collaboration with their applied studio instructor, collaborative pianist, and any other supporting musicians.

Graduate Students must have prior approval of their proposed repertoire by their Graduate Committee in order to schedule a recital.

The student will produce their recital program using the template provided on the School of Music website. The student is responsible for making copies and for producing and including any program notes, which must receive advisor approval before duplication.

Recital Guidelines 

BME Majors

For the culminating recital, register for applied lessons 4501.xx (BME) AND 4505* Junior Recital.

* Students should register for both 4501.xx AND 4505 in the semester they give the recital. Be certain that you are enrolled in the correct professor’s section.

1. The graduating recital for 4501.xx is expected to be offered during the last semester of study at this level.
   1. Individual instructors may require a “pre-recital jury” during the semester preceding the scheduled recital.
2. The recital given by 4501 students in their final semester of 4501.xx, is considered to be the termination of study. A jury is not taken in this final semester of 4501.
3. This recital is generally a 30-minute recital. Refer to the Recital Scheduling Guide for further details.
4. The grade for the recital semester will be fully assigned by the studio teacher.

BM Majors

For Recital 1 of 2: register for applied lessons 4502.xx (BM) AND 4505* Junior Recital

* Students should register for 4505 in addition to 4502.xx in the semester they give the recital.

1. The junior recital for 4502.xx should be offered during the last semester of study at that level.
2. The junior recital is generally a one-hour recital. Refer to the Recital Scheduling Guide for further details.
3. The grade for the recital semester will be fully assigned by the studio teacher.

For Recital 2 of 2: register for applied lessons 4602.xx (BM) plus 4605* Senior Recital

* Students should register for 4605 in addition to 4602.xx in the semester they give the recital.

1. The graduating recital for 4602.xx should be offered during the last semester of study at that level.
2. The senior recital is at least one hour in length. Refer to the Recital Scheduling Guide for further details.
3. The grade for the recital semester will be fully assigned by the studio teacher.

BA Degree

Students enrolled in the BA who are interested in a more performance-oriented degree experience may, in some cases, wish to perform a recital and should consult with the primary professor regarding enrollment and procedures.

Music 4601/4602 Enrollment Policy

After completion of the 4501.xx required degree recital, students are strongly encouraged to register for 4601.xx. However, there is no guarantee of a place in a faculty studio. It is assumed that each level of String Study will require two academic semesters to complete. From time to time, the senior performance level (4602) may require additional semesters; therefore, the School of Music allows a student to enroll for 4602.xx for (a total of four semesters).

Music 2208.xx/7208.xx: Small Ensembles (Chamber Music)

1. Students are encouraged to form their own chamber music groups. Others may be placed in a group by chamber music coaches. Coaches will be assigned to chamber groups by the string faculty. Currently, the violin, viola and cello faculty coach sections of small ensemble.
2. Students may reach out to individual faculty members to request coaching. Faculty members work collectively with students to match students and select/assign repertoire. Priority for enrollment is given to students needing to meet degree requirements.
3. Students are required to enroll in a section of small ensembles in order to receive instruction. Faculty will ultimately determine the assignment. Students should be certain to enroll in the correct professor’s section.

String Area Departmental Recitals

1. String Area Departmental Recitals are held three times each semester in Timashev Recital Hall. All Undergraduate and Graduate String Area majors are required to attend.
2. Students must be nominated by their studio professors to perform in departmental recitals. The Department Recital coordinator will inform you of your participation and request program information from you. Priority is given to students preparing for degree recitals, competitions and other major performances.

Concert Attendance Policy

1. All String majors must comply with the concert attendance policy below. Please refer to your studio syllabus for additional information and expectations.
2. String majors are expected to attend ALL recitals of peers in their individual studios and are encouraged to attend String student recitals outside their studio.
3. Attendance at ALL String Area faculty and guest artist recitals and master classes is expected.
4. Attendance at ALL departmental recitals is required.
5. If unable to attend a required recital, the student must be formally excused by the teacher.
6. Refer to studio syllabus for information on grading with regard to recital attendance.
7. All students are urged to take full advantage of the bountiful opportunities to attend concerts and productions both on and off campus.

Large Ensemble Participation Requirements

Undergraduate Students

All full-time BM-Performance and BME majors must enroll and participate in a degree appropriate large ensemble (orchestra) during each semester of enrollment. In the case of BME majors, a total of 6 enrollments in orchestra is required and the 7th semester may be flexible. There is no enrollment requirement during the student teaching semester. BA majors will consult with their advisor and their studio professor regarding ensemble participation. All students on music scholarship are required to enroll in University Symphony Orchestra each semester in residence.

Graduate Students

Graduate students should consult the School of Music Graduate Student Handbook, with their advisor (the primary instructor or other designated faculty member).

Large Ensemble Auditions Information

Check Orchestral Ensembles for audition details, sign-ups, and downloadable audition excerpts — usually available by late July for autumn semester.

Questions? Contact Professor Miriam Burns, Director of Orchestras, at burns.1165@osu.edu or your studio instructor.

Concerto Competitions

Undergraduate and Master’s Level Students

The String Area faculty will choose a maximum of four finalists during autumn semester on a pre-determined preliminary audition date (usually mid-November).

• Students are required to have their concerto choice approved by the orchestra director BEFORE the preliminary round.
• Students are required to have piano accompaniment for this jury.
• Memorization, while encouraged, is not required.
• Students must sign-up in a timely fashion on the sheets located on the orchestra bulletin board on the first floor of Weigel Hall.
• Finalists chosen will audition for a committee at a pre-determined time chosen by the orchestra director.

Doctoral Students

Consult with your advisor regarding the Symphony Orchestra DMA Concerto Competition.

Juries

Semester Juries

All string majors enrolled in applied instruction will perform an end-of-semester jury for the String Faculty during exam week. The jury grade constitutes a portion of the semester grade. See individual instructor’s syllabus for details on grading.

Juries are typically scheduled on the first or second day of exams. Announcement of jury date and sign-up procedures will be distributed to students within two weeks of the jury date. Information and a sign-up sheet will be posted on the String Area bulletin board between the cello and viola studios on the 3rd floor of the Timashev Family Music Building. Instructions will also be distributed by the respective studio instructor along with links to the required semester repertory sheet and the string jury comment sheet. Instructions for completing these forms will be included with these materials.

Scheduling a jury time

When selecting a jury time, be sure to check with your accompanist for a suitable time and sign up by the announced and posted deadline. Do not remove the lists from the board or change times listed. Any scheduling problems should be brought to the attention of the studio professor and the String Area Head.

Required end-of-semester jury sheets

The Semester Repertory Sheet should list ALL repertoire studied in the given semester (including detailed information for both technical studies (incl. Etude #) and concert repertoire (i.e. movement #). Fill this out every semester of study, even if you do not take a jury.

The Jury Comment Sheet will be used by the string faculty to provide feedback on your jury performance. You will list each of the 2–3 selections/movements that you have prepared for the jury. Juries which include a request for change of level require 3 selections determined in consultation with the studio professor. 

Other Useful Information

Collaborative Pianists

Students are responsible for engaging their own collaborative pianist.

Studio Class/Departmental Recital Schedule

Studio classes and departmental recitals are regularly held on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m.–12:25 p.m.

A schedule of weekly room assignments and the schedule for the departmental recital dates will be distributed early in the semester. See the studio instructor for further details.

Lesson assignments, scheduling and communication

Students should take care to enroll in the correct section of applied lessons in consultation with the academic advisor and their studio professor. Before the start of each semester, students will provide the studio instructor with their class schedule to facilitate scheduling. Your instructor will contact you to set up a lesson time.

Non-majors will be accommodated by the primary instructor or a graduate teaching associate for each instrument based on availability and require permission to enroll. Contact your advisor regarding specific procedures.

Each faculty member will have a specific means of communicating with students. It is advisable that you get in the habit of regularly checking the studio door, your e-mail, Carmen and the String Area Bulletin board (between the viola and cello studios on the 3rd floor).

Practice Rooms

Practice rooms are located throughout the Timashev Family Music Building and Weigel Hall. Refer often to the Reservation Instructions and Policies.

Equipment Needed

• folding music stand
• a quality lock for your music locker
• metronome
• tuner
• recording device
• an instrument in working order
• sheet music as assigned by the studio instructor
• a notebook

Instrument humidifiers are also highly recommended. The following are recommended. Your instructor may have a preference, so seek their counsel for further details:

• Stretto — Google search for retailers
• Boveda humidity control
• Dampit — Google search for retailers

Concert Dress for Large Ensemble Performances

Men

Black tuxedo; long-sleeve, white shirt; black cummerbund (optional); black bow tie; black socks; black dress shoes (no athletic shoes).

Women

All-black, ankle-length dress, skirt (no side slits or back slits above the knee), loose-fitting dress slacks; black blouse with long or ¾-length sleeves, modest neck and back lines; black, button cardigans or black, dress jackets may be worn; black, dress shoes (no open-toed shoes); sheer, black stockings; no flashing jewelry and no beads or sequins that would create a visual distraction.

Illness Policy

If you are ill and need to miss class, including if you are staying home and away from others while experiencing symptoms of a viral infection or fever, please let your studio instructor know immediately. In cases where illness interacts with an underlying medical condition, please consult with Student Life Disability Services to request reasonable accommodations.

Disability Policy

The university strives to maintain a healthy and accessible environment to support student learning in and out of the classroom. If you anticipate or experience academic barriers based on your disability (including mental health, chronic, or temporary medical conditions), please let your studio instructor know immediately so that you can privately discuss options.

To establish reasonable accommodations, your studio instructor may request that you register with Student Life Disability Services. After registration, make arrangements with your studio instructor as soon as possible to discuss your accommodations so that they may be implemented in a timely fashion.

Connect with Student Life Disability Services:

• Email: slds@osu.edu
• Phone: 614–292–3307
• Web: slds.osu.edu