Headshot of man smiling in pinstriped suit and dress shirt
Terell Stafford, Chair of Instrumental Studies and Laura H. Carnell Professor

Welcome from the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Instrumental Studies at Temple, where students receive the finest training within the context of a comprehensive music curriculum.

Individual study with exemplary faculty enables each student to achieve a high level of proficiency on a major instrument (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion) or instrumental conducting. More information is below.  A high level of participation in ensembles provides performance experience and broad knowledge of the literature.

All instrumental students, whether Performance, Music Education, Music Therapy, Music Theory, Music History or Composition majors, receive one lesson per week from full and part-time faculty, one-half of whom are members of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

The Department of Instrumental Studies offers numerous master classes, faculty and guest artist recitals and lectures that bring internationally acclaimed musicians to campus. Past guest artists include David Kim, Lynn Harrell, Ricardo Morales, Nitzan Haroz, Anthony McGill, Pamela Frank, Peter Stumpf, Momenta Quartet, American Brass Quintet and Prism Quartet.

Instrumental Studies alumni hold positions with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, The United States Air Force Band, Alarm Will Sound, St. Louis Symphony, Houston Symphony, to name a few.

Please take a moment to review information about the BM, MM, DMA and Professional Studies Certificate programs, as well as the many ensemble opportunities in Instrumental Studies at Temple.

Warm regards,
Terell Stafford