Music Scholarships and
Graduate Assistantships

Music scholarships are available for undergraduate string players for participation in Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony regardless of academic major. Scholarship awards vary, and are determined by a live audition, high school achievements, academic scores and financial need. Graduate assistantships of up to $10,000 annually are also available. Graduate awards are based on a live audition, applicable test scores, previous academic record and experience. Please click here to schedule an audition and a tour of the campus.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) was founded in 1884 as Louisiana Normal School for the education of teachers. It is a state-supported, comprehensive, co-ed university that awards associate, bachelors and masters degrees. The main campus is located on 1,000 acres in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

NSULA's College of Liberal Arts, School of Creative and Performing Arts has been designated as an "Area of Excellence" by the University of Louisiana Board of Trustees. The Division of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Degree offerings include the Bachelor of Music with concentations in either Performance or Sacred Music, the Bachelor of Music Education with concentrations in either Instrumental, Vocal, or Instrumental and Vocal, as well as, the Master of Music with a Music Education Concentration.

The string department has the following faculty members:

• Dr. Douglas Bakenhus, Director of Orchestral Studies
• Dr. Andrej Kurti, Associate Professor of Violin and Viola
• Paul Christopher, Assistant Professor of Cello and Music Theory
• Josue Ramirez, Adjunct Instructor of Double Bass