String Education at KU


Student with cello playing

The String Music Education program at KU focuses on teaching in homogeneous and heterogenous bowed-string (i.e., violin, viola, cello, and double-bass) environments, such as school classrooms, ensembles, and studios. Degree programs include the BME, MME, and Ph.D.

A string graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) is available pending a vacancy and an application process. Contact Dr. Dakon for more information.

    String Education Instructors

    Jacob M. Dakon
    • Associate Professor of Music Education
    • Music Education & Music Therapy, Instrumental (Strings)
    • Music Education Area Coordinator
    • **KU Safe Zone Member
    He/him/his

    Undergraduate Coursework

    Six courses in string education occur throughout the BME program (see below). Topics include string technique, methods, rehearsal methods, pedagogy, and curriculum. Each focuses on preparing students to become successful state-certified string teachers in public and private schools of Kansas and its reciprocating states. Students learning violin, viola, cello, or double bass as their secondary intrument may also enroll in ORCH 406: University Orchestra. All courses are as follows: 

      Courses

      Graduate Coursework

      Graduate coursework in string music education include:

      • MEMT 818: Advanced String Technique (not listed)
      • MEMT 798: Approaches to String Pedagogy: an examination of George Bornoff, Paul Rolland, and Shinichi Suzuki's influence on 21st-Century string class teaching (not listed)
      • ORCH 706: University Orchestra. For graduate students seeking more practice on violin, viola, cello, or double bass.

      Courses

      Strings player from LYS

      Lawrence Youth Symphony

      String Music Education at KU partners with the Lawrence Youth Symphony to facilitate the Sinfonietta Orchestra, a string ensemble made up of 7th- and 8th-grade string players from the Lawrence Public Schools. Registration for the ensemble is free and open to all students without audition.

      Lawrence Youth Symphony