Strings

The Strings Program at Truman offers a breadth of exciting performance and educational experiences for performers and future educators. String majors and minors work closely with faculty in private instruction, master classes, and chamber music coaching. Solo and chamber music performance is fostered through student recitals, and Truman's prestigious Gold Medal Competition provides an opportunity for students to perform as soloists with the University Symphony Orchestra. Faculty performances occur throughout the year, enriching the musical experience of students and enhancing the creative environment at Truman.

Traveling overseas with the Truman State University Chamber Orchestra as part of the University's Study Abroad program has allowed students to achieve substantive understanding of another perspective on the world, deepening their understanding of themselves, their society, and their own values, which is integral to a liberal arts education.

Additionally, string students may also be selected to participate as instructors in the Kirksville After-School Strings Program, where they gain valuable hands-on experience teaching beginner and intermediate string students at Ray Miller Elementary School.
 

Symphony Orchestra

The Truman State University Symphony Orchestra is comprised of 90 student musicians pursuing majors in a wide variety of academic disciplines. They choose to attend Truman because of the opportunities to combine the foremost in academic training at a "highly selective" institution with a broad and comprehensive liberal arts & sciences curriculum. The music department is an integral part of this liberal arts philosophy. Significant numbers of students from across campus maintain regular participation in music ensembles, applied lessons and theory/history courses as part of their experience at Truman. In addition to our outstanding music majors, Truman's music programs, including the University Orchestra, are enriched by students from throughout the region who have performed at the highest level during their high school years.

The orchestra annually performs 6-7 times on campus and tours the region each fall semester. In addition to standard orchestral programming the orchestra performs regularly with University Chorus, accompanies student soloists on the annual Gold Medal Concert, and collaborates in bi-annual musical and opera productions. Recently, the orchestra performed at the 2006 Missouri Music Educators Association conference in Osage Beach, MO.  Members of the orchestra also tour internationally every other May; in 2004 the ensemble performed a two-week tour of France. Truman State University is also a host institution for the Missouri International Music Program a two-week summer music festival in Tuscany, Italy.
 

President's String Quartet

The President’s String Quartet is selected by competitive audition in March for the following academic year (other arrangements can be made if you are unable to make this date). Its members receive a stipend of $1800 per school year in addition to an orchestra scholarship. The quartet is an honors ensemble that performs frequently at University functions and chamber recitals, competes at regional and national conventions, and coaches extensively with the strings faculty. Quartet members are also required to maintain enrollment in private lessons, the Truman State University Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.
 

Truman Strings Faculty:

Brian Kubin Assistant Professor of Music, Cello and Bass
  bkubin@truman.edu
Sam McClure Associate Professor of Music, Violin and Viola / Director of Orchestral Activities
  smcclure@truman.edu