STRINGS AND CHAMBER MUSIC DEPARTMENT

The Strings and Chamber Music Department is principally responsible for training violinists, violists, cellists, bassists and guitarists; who will continue the personnel of the professional symphony and guitar orchestras in the country. The department thru its programs aim to continue the line of gifted, competent and innovative chamber musicians and string pedagogues in the Philippines and the neighboring regions of Asia and the Pacific. The exceptionally gifted are also selected for special training as soloists.

The String Program is designed for students who have satisfactorily passed the talent auditions which requires a minimum repertoire of:

A. Major and minor scales and arpeggios in three octaves (for Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass), in two octaves open and close position (for Guitar)

B. Sight-reading

C.
Violin Undergraduates:
One (1) Movement (with cadenza) of a concerto by Bach, Haydn, or Mozart, and a contrasting piece or etude by Kayser or Dont

Viola and Cello Undergraduates:
Two (2) Contrasting Movements of a standard Concerto or Sonata and an etude by Kayser or Don’t (for violists), Dotzauer (for cellists)

Double Bass:
Two (2) Contrasting pieces of applicant’s choice, Two (2) Orchestral excerpts.

Guitar:
Three (3) pieces from the following: A contrapuntal work written between Circa 1550-1750, a theme with variations, a dance movement, a work or movement(s) written after 1900 (either western or Filipino).

The first year of study (MuP 100-MuP 110) focuses on honing and establishing the hand and finger techniques of proper playing. Course requirements are concentrated on technical studies, scales, etudes and exercises which are geared towards this objective.

For the succeeding three to four years of study a student will be required to perform:

1. For Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass Majors: A minimum of two concerti (for a Certificate degree), three concerti (for a Diploma degree) and four concerti (for a Bachelor’s degree).At least one concerto shall be performed at the end of each school year.

2. At least four sonatas from the representative periods (for DCPMA and BM) or two sonatas from the Baroque and classical periods (for CM). One to be performed at the end of the school year.

3. For Guitar Majors: Major works by Bach, Carcassi, Guiliani, Narvaez, Tarrega
and Sor (for a Certificate degree), One concerto and works by Villalobos, Albeniz and Granados (for a Diploma degree), an a minimum of two concerti (for a Bachelor’s degree)

4. For DCPMA and BM additional duo concertos for viola of equal difficulty to a solo concerto may be added on the recommendation of the instructor.

Graduate Program Entrance Requirements

THE FACULTY:

Arturo Molina
Lester Demetillo
Edna Marcil Martinez, Chair
Chona Noble
Eduardo Pasamba
Antonio Rodriguez
Jose Valdez
Ivar Fojas
Nathan Manimtim
Rommel Cruz
Medina, Melchora Regina