UNK Thornton String Quartet

Student scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each are available for each of the members of the Thornton String Quartet. Any student pursuing any degree at the University of Nebraska-Kearney is eligible. Students who plan to major in music are also eligible for additional scholarships in music.

Members of the Thornton String Quartet rehearse twice a week and perform in the Kearney Symphony Orchestra, which rehearses one evening per week. Each semester the quartet will also perform in community/university service settings. In addition, the quartet will be available for other performance events allowing for added income for each quartet member.

Competitive auditions for the Thornton String Quartet will be held at UNK on regularly scheduled audition dates.    Students interested in the Thornton String Quartet are highly recommended to register for one of the dates. If travel considerations make this impossible, a high quality videotape may be substituted.

Audition Repertoire Requirements:
All applicants should demonstrate their performance capabilities by playing two contrasting pieces (two minutes minimum), one piece requiring technical facility and another displaying tone quality. In addition, each applicant must prepare and perform the appropriate music excerpt indicated below.

Violin - A first movement from any Haydn Violin Concerto
Viola - J. Chr. Bach: Viola Concerto in C minor: Mvt. I, mm. 12 - 110
Cello - Breval: Sonata in C Major for Cello & Piano: to the first repeat

The required excerpts will be provided upon request. Piano accompaniment and memorization for the excerpts is not required for live or taped auditions.

Scholarship Information:

  • Competitive auditions are required for placement in the Thornton String Quartet.
  • A $3,000 yearly scholarship will be granted to each quartet member - $1,500 each semester.
  • The scholarship is renewable each year based on an evaluation of each performer's dedication to the ensemble, advancement as a performer, and congeniality and cooperation within the group.
  • Although TSQ members need not be a music major or minor, private string lessons are highly recommended.
  • Music majors or minors must fulfill all other degree requirements for membership in TSQ.

Guidelines for TSQ Members:

  • Register for MUS 165 - Small Ensembles/Strings
  • Rehearse at least two times each week at a mutually agreed time
  • Participate in the Kearney Symphony Orchestra, which rehearses once per week on Tuesday, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. and performs quadra-annually. 
  • Be available for up to four "courtesy engagements" per semester for University functions and two up to "community welfare" appearances.

For additional information, contact:
Dr. Ting-Lan Chen
Department of Music and Performing Arts