Harp at TCU

I am accepting new students at Texas Christian University both at the collegiate and pre-college levels. The TCU Summer Harp Workshop is open to students ages 14 and up who want to dive into their harp studies in a summer camp setting!

Scroll down for more information about harp opportunities at TCU, or use the links above to go directly to TCU webpages.

Harp Degrees at TCU

Some of the most frequently asked questions about studying harp at TCU

What Degrees are offered at TCU? Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Music Minor, Master of Music, Master of Music Education, Doctor of Musical Arts, and Artist Diploma degrees are all offered to harp students at TCU. Students may choose an emphasis other than performance such as music theory, composition, church music, and pedagogy.
Not sure if you want to major in music? TCU offers a robust Music Minor degree, and Harp Minors are welcome!
What does harp student life look like? TCU harp students (both majors and minors) enjoy many solo and collaborative performance opportunities within a small and supportive studio environment. In addition to private lessons, harp students may also participate in the TCU Harp Ensemble, TCU Symphony Orchestra, TCU Wind Symphony, TCU Symphonic Band, TCU Concert Band, TCU Opera productions, chamber music collaborations, solo recitals, studio recitals, as well as campus, intercollegiate, and community performances.
What are the audition requirements? For undergraduates, three solo works of differing styles from standard harp literature, including but not limited to works of Grandjany, Salzedo, Renie, Hasselmans and Tournier that best represent the student’s current level of performance. Selections should demonstrate technical proficiency and musicianship. Memorization is encouraged but not required. A major cadenza from orchestral repertoire (such as Tchaikovsky Waltz of the Flowers, Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol or Britten Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra) may be substituted for one of the solos. More details about auditions are found here https://finearts.tcu.edu/music/admission/strings/ (scroll down).
Is there a religious requirement to attend TCU? More than 60 religious traditions are represented, and TCU supports the spiritual and ethical life of each member of the TCU community. Undergraduate students are required to take one class in a religious tradition as part of the core curriculum. The specific course and religious tradition from around the globe is entirely up to the student. All courses are taught from an academic perspective and not a didactic perspective.
Is TCU expensive? Three out of four students at TCU receive financial aid, which means the majority of students are not paying the sticker price. At TCU students are able to combine merit based academic scholarships with need based assistance, and we are often able to grant additional performance based music scholarships to harp majors and sometimes to harp minors. More details about various scholarships and financial aid https://admissions.tcu.edu/afford/scholarship-aid/index.php
Who do I contact with questions about admissions? I'm happy to assist you with admissions questions if you contact me, and I can also point you to our dedicated school of music admissions advisor. You can read all about the admissions requirements here and you might even find these application essays from students admitted to the TCU the class of 2026 helpful reading!

Harp at TCU Music Preparatory

It is never too soon or too late to learn to play an instrument you love. Though some of my students have won competitions or become professional musicians, my ultimate goal in teaching the harp is to help students develop compassionate hearts and disciplined minds through the study of music.

I am a registered Suzuki harp teacher, and I draw from many teaching philosophies and scientific studies to tailor a unique approach that suits the individual needs of each student. Both traditional and Suzuki Method instruction are available at TCU Music Prep. All students study standard harp repertoire, music theory, note reading, and musicianship in their individual lessons. Success is different for each student, and I hope all students learn to balance healthy striving for excellence with enjoying the process of making music. Multiple recital opportunities are provided each semester in the beautiful TCU School of Music facilities.

For more info or to register visit https://finearts.tcu.edu/music/events-and-programs/music-preparatory/private-lessons/

TCU Summer Harp Workshop

The TCU Summer Harp Workshop offers 3 days of solo masterclasses, harp ensemble, movement class, as well as interactive and informative workshop sessions about the harp. In addition to ensemble rehearsals, each student will have the opportunity to receive individually tailored instruction on a prepared solo of their own choosing. Students may select repertoire from standard harp solo literature, All-State etudes, orchestral excerpts, harp concerto, or chamber music repertoire. At the end of the workshop, each participant will have the opportunity to perform on the final recital.

The TCU Summer Harp Workshop is open to young harpists entering 8th grade and above, intermediate to advanced level. Younger students may be considered for acceptance with director’s approval.

For more info or to register visit https://finearts.tcu.edu/music/events-and-programs/summer-camps/tcu-harp-workshop/