With this diversified faculty, the string area has been very successful in developing a string program that gives students a very comprehensive training in string performance. Studio lessons include a program of study with specific repertoire requirements on the three levels of performance exams, ensuring a broad basis of musical style and performance practice. Performance opportunities are numerous, from weekly studio master classes , to regular student concert venues in the three concert hall facilities of the school. The performance department also runs a visiting Master Class Series.
Chamber music is the second corner stone in the string area program.
Every student is required to play in a string quartet for two years, after which they may continue in quartets or pursue experience in mix ensembles. The string area has on average sixteen quartets and approximately a dozen mixed ensembles each semester, each scheduled to perform in one of nine concerts dates. The coaching of the ensembles is done by the string area faculty, with a coaching session scheduled each week during the term. Two terms of chamber music on viola is a further requirement for all performance major violinists. The McGill Symphony, an ensemble of some ninety musicians , plus the McGill Chamber Orchestra, and the Contemporary Ensemble are the ensembles that make up the Orchestral Training Program.