Overview

The UC Santa Barbara Strings Program offers a full and balanced curriculum, a dedicated and internationally recognized faculty, and a superior learning experience for students interested in string study. The Department of Music requires participation in the Chamber Orchestra, Opera Theatre, and Chamber Music Program for degree candidates, and also offers opportunities for other ensemble experience through the Ensemble for Contemporary Music.

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate 

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) with an emphasis in Music Studies 
  • Bachelor of Music (BM)

Learn more about the BA with an emphasis in Music Studies and the Bachelor of Music degrees in the Music Department, Undergraduate Program section of UC Santa Barbara's General Catalog. Find more information on applying to the undergraduate program on the Undergraduate Degrees page.

Graduate

  • Master of Music (MM)
  • Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
  • Combined Master of Music/Doctor of Musical Arts (MM/DMA)

The MM-only time-to-degree is two years. The DMA-only time-to-degree is four to five years (for applicants who have already completed a master's degree at an accredited university). If accepted into the MM/DMA combined program, the time to complete both degrees is five years (once your coursework and qualifying exams are complete, you receive the MM). Learn more about the MM and the DMA Strings emphases in the Music Department, Graduate Program section of UCSB's General Catalog. Find more information on applying to the graduate program on the Graduate Degrees page.

Faculty

Pasha Sabouri | Lecturer, Violin

Jonathan Moerschel | Lecturer, Viola

Jennifer Kloetzel | Professor, Cello (Area Head, Strings Program)

Neil Garber | Continuing Lecturer, Bass

Undergraduate Honors String Quartet

The Undergraduate Honors String Quartet is an ensemble whose members comprise a select group of the most outstanding undergraduate string players. Membership is by audition and approval of the String Faculty and Chamber Music Coordinator. Quartet members often receive a stipend based on availability of funding on a yearly basis. 

Young Artists String Quartet and Piano Quartet Graduate Program

In addition, the program has two scholarship ensembles, the Young Artists String Quartet and the Young Artists Piano Quartet, which perform on campus and throughout Southern California. There is also a variety of opportunities for students to perform in several professional ensembles in the Santa Barbara community.

Ensembles

Undergraduate Honors String Quartet

Young Artists Piano Quartet

Young Artists String Quartet 

Chamber Orchestra

Chamber Music Ensembles 

Ensemble for Contemporary Music

Opera Theatre

UCSB Strings Intensive Artwork

UCSB Strings Intensive

Violin - Viola - Cello

POSTPONED (new dates TBA)

For ages 15-25

Come hone your strings skills under the expert guidance of the UC Santa Barbara Strings Faculty. You will have the opportunity to improve your fundamentals, discuss career paths, and practice techniques while engaging with like-minded young colleagues.

See below for more information or view the UCSB Strings Intensive website.

 

Daily Schedule

Saturday, October 2

  • 9am Scale Class
  • 10am Etude Class
  • 11am Open Lessons/Masterclass
  • 12pm Lunch Break
  • 1:30pm Observed Repertoire Practice
  • 2:30pm Career Discussion
  • 3:30pm Faculty Concert

* Schedule subject to change

 

Sunday, October 3

  • 9am Scale Class

  • 10am Etude Class

  • 11am Open Lessons/Masterclass

  • 12pm Lunch Break

  • 1:30pm Practice Workshop

  • 2:30pm Instrument Care Discussion

  • 3:30pm Q&A

* Schedule subject to change

 

Tuition

For ages 15-25

Full Tuition $400

* $150 Non-Refundable Deposit due by SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Remaining $250 due by SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

To apply, please complete the Online Application Form and send a $150 non-refundable deposit check, payable to UC REGENTS to: Jennifer Kloetzel, 3739 Balboa St #202 San Francisco, CA 94121 by SEPTEMBER 10, 2021.

Please include - Jennifer Kloetzel UCSB Strings Intensive weekend – in the memo section of your check.

* Students with completed application forms and full deposits will be given preference. $150 deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE.

APPLY

For more information please contact Prof. Jennifer Kloetzel, Professor of Cello & Head of Strings at jmk@ucsb.edu.

All proceeds will go to support the UC Santa Barbara String scholarship fund.

 

Faculty

Jennifer Kloetzel, Cello

A graduate of The Juilliard School and a Fulbright Scholar, cellist Jennifer Kloetzel has concertized throughout the United States, Europe and Asia as a soloist and chamber musician. A founding member of the San Francisco-based Cypress String Quartet (1996-2016), Ms. Kloetzel has toured the globe and performed at such renowned venues as Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Chautauqua Institute and the Ravinia Festival, the Lobkowicz Palaces in both Vienna and Prague, as well as prominent colleges and conservatories worldwide. Read more on Jennifer Kloetzel's faculty page.

Email Jennifer Kloetzel

 

Jonathan Moerschel, Viola

Jonathan Moerschel was born in Boston, Massachusetts into a musical family. His mother, a pianist, and his father, a cellist in the Boston Symphony, fostered his early music studies both in piano and violin. At the age of sixteen, he began studying the viola with John Ziarko and chamber music with the violist from the Kolisch Quartet, Eugene Lehner. Moerschel made his Boston Symphony Hall solo debut with the Boston Pops Orchestra, directed by Keith Lockhart, in 1997 after taking first prize in the Boston Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. Read more on Jonathan Moerschel's faculty page.

Email Jonathan Moerschel