The Department of String Bow Instruments existed since the opening of Belarusian State Conservatory in 1932. The first teachers of the Department were violinist S.Zhiv, violist I.Guralnik, cellist M.Orlov, double bassist I.Solodchenko. The Head of the Department was famous violinist and conductor, Honored Artist of BSSR, Professor A.Bessmertny.
In 1937 Conservatory invited graduates of MSC, laureates of All-Union competition: violinist A.Amiton and cellist A.Vlasov. In 1939-1941 and in 1944-1951 at the Department which was headed by Honored Artist of BSSR, Professor A.Amiton, the pedagogic activity was held by violinist and conducor, Honored artist of RSFSR, Professor A.Zholents, Honored Artist of USSR, Associate Professor, cellist M.Kaluzhsky, violists, Honored Artist of ArmSSR, Professor A.Azatian, Honored Artist of BSSR, Associate Professor, P.Kirilchenko; in 1952 a violinist, laureate if All-Union Competition, graduate of Odessa Conservatory M.Goldstein was invited to the Department. He conducted performing and teaching activity in conservatory during 30 years. In 1951-1955 the Department was headed by A.Bessmertny.
From 1955 till 1978 the Department was headed by Honored Art Worker of BSSR N.Bratennikov, from 1978 till 1982 the Department was headed by Professor V.Chernysh. From 1955 more students entered academy, educational and methodological work were activated and since 1957 republican and international contests were held. Many famous cellists worked at the String Bow Instruments Department: Honored Artist of RSFRS, Professor A.Stogorsky, Honored Artist of BSSR, Professor B.Skoblo, Associate Professor S.Madorsky, Professor E.Xaveriev, Professor N.Shcherbakov, senior teacher L.Zimovina, violinists: student of Professor L.Auer, by Honored Art Worker of BSSR, Professor V.Goldfeld, Honored Artists of BSSR, Associate Professor G.Klochko, laureates of international competitions R.Nodel and A.Kramarov, teachers V.Kramarova, V.Zelenin, V.Chernysh, R.Krivel, L.Umnova; violists: Associate Professors V.Skibin and L.Lastovka, double bassists: Associate Professors S.Hersonsky, V.Fedorchuk, Professor N.Krivosheev.
In 1982 the String Bow Department was divided into the Violin Department and the Viola, Cello, Double Bass and Quartet Department, in September 1984 was made a decision to create the independent Department of Viola, Cello and Double Bass. On April 25, 2011 the String Bow Instruments Department was recreated. The Department was headed by T.Bodneva.
From September 2013 violinists worked at the Department: Professor A.Yanpolsky, Associate Professors V.Zelenin, R.Krivel, graduates of Belarusian State Conservatory L.Kalinovskaya, E.Maltseva, A.Alexandrovich, E.Osnovich, E.Pukst; violists: Professor L.Lastovka, Associate Professor V.Rylatko, part-time teachers A.Karazhev, L.Vatamanyuk, I.Goncherenok; cellists: Professor, Honored Artists of BSSR V.Perlin, Associate Professors N.Shpeneva, E.Feshchenko, senior teacher A.Afanasiev, teachers O.Rodevich, Yu.Rozhkovskaya; double bassists: Honored Artist of BSSR N.Krivosheev, senior teacher V.Pulenkov, teacher P.Sidorenko etc.
At the present time violin class is conducted by Associate Professors of the Department T.Bodneva, R.Krivel, E.Pukst, A.Alexandrovich, E.Maltseva, P.Chernevskaya, senior teacher M.Pishchik, L.Kalinovskaya, viola class – Associate Professor L.Lastovka, senior teacher N.Teran, cello class – Associate Professor E.Feshchenko, teacher P.Forostyanaya, double bass class – Professor N.Krivosheev, Associate Professor – V.Pulenkov.
The big contribution was made by piano accompanists of the Department – pianists S.Bogachev, N.Kavetskaya, E.Haitina, S.Darmoyan, E.Afanasieva, O.Kirillova, A.Buria
