Degree Options for Strings Music Students
BM in Performance
Students pursuing the BM in Performance engage three principal curricular paths:
- private lessons
- chamber music, and
- orchestra.
George Mason University performance majors enjoy many opportunities to participate in concerts, dramatic productions, masterclasses and rehearsals, and gain valuable job experience as a freelance musician. They present two mandatory recitals to partially fulfill degree requirements.
BM in Music Education
Designed for students whose primary goal is to teach in public schools, George Mason’s BM in Music Education provides a nationally recognized teacher preparation/certification program approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Students successfully completing this degree obtain a K-12 Virginia Teaching License.
BA in Music with a Concentration in Pedagogy*
Designed for students whose primary goal is to teach private lessons, the BA in Music with a Concentration in Pedagogy examines the theories of major pedagogues, develops students’ practical skills to manage a private studio, offers a sequential approach for teaching string literature, and prepares students to understand age-appropriate development. Students pursuing this degree are in high demand as teachers in the community and complete their degree well prepared to engage in multiple career opportunities.
Minor in Pedagogy*
As teaching remains a vital part of any professional musician’s career, music majors are encouraged to pursue the Minor in Pedagogy while completing their Bachelor of Music degree. However, highly qualified non-majors may pursue the Minor in Pedagogy as a stand-alone minor. The program includes four levels of pedagogy, as well as an internship, elective coursework in education, educational psychology, arts management, business, and communication.
* Admission to both programs requires an audition. The Pedagogy Minor may not be taken in combination with a BA in Music.
Minor in Music
Students who have primary career goals in other fields may choose to minor in music. These students are committed to improving abilities on their primary instrument and must pass an audition. Aside from core music classes, music minors are welcome to participate in private lessons and ensembles.
Find more information and apply now.
Mark Evans is a recent graduate (2022) in BA Music with a concentration in string pedagogy. He is currently teaching across the Northern Virginia and Washington D.C area with various Academies and Non-profit organizations. He created his own music education service called Mark's Music Prep, where he teaches music to people of all ages to read and write music and to play the cello. He also performs every Saturday in Washington D.C at Harlot D.C during “Brunch with Maestro.”
In the Fall of 2021, Carlos E. Figueroa Dasilva (MM candidate in Cello Performance) was accepted into the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Diversity Fellowship Program. Chosen from a highly competitive applicant pool, the FSO Diversity Fellowship Program encourages greater racial and cultural diversity in the orchestra field by helping to provide meaningful opportunities for talented minority musicians to achieve their full potential.