Greetings Ann! I recently graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a bachelor of arts degree in sacred music with a concentration in organ.
I do not know of any truly Catholic colleges with an instrumental concentration like violin. However, if her daughter sings or plays the piano well, she may be able to change her concentration to organ or voice. These concentrations are far more common at genuine Catholic universities: specifically, Ave Maria University and Franciscan University of Steubenville, both of which offer bachelor of arts degrees in sacred music (concentrations in voice or organ). Christendom College offers a minor in liturgical music with the same concentrations.
Speaking from my own experiences at Franciscan University, the music program includes a chamber orchestra which she would be more than welcome to join. Ave Maria University may also have a chamber orchestra, but I don't know for certain.

I hope this is helpful to you!

Take a look at Catholic University's undergraduate music programs, which include performance on any orchestral instrument.

Chuck

Depends on why she wants to major in violin. If her college life isn't going to be spent in a small, soundproof room, maybe she should shed the idea of having the performance emphasis.

But if she just wants to play the violin and not turn pro --- well, there are worse reasons behind choosing a major, and there's always the whole classical liberal education thing about being well-rounded.

But if she wants to major in violin and not waste her money, she needs to try for the pedigree.

Not sure that's it's a "waste of time" to study at anything but the top ten music schools - depends on what you want to do with your degree. Not everyone is out for a solo career or to play in a big orchestra. Perhaps she wants an education (and a life) outside of music as well.

Last time I heard, the CUA student ministry was run by Steubenville Franciscans.

I know Notre Dame grads are very enthusiastic, but the actions of your president with Pres. Obama kind of raise doubts in people's minds. I suspect no less a light than Mary Ann Glendon--famously refused an honor rather than be on the podium with a pro-choice politician also being honored by Notre Dame – might suggest being a little bit more cautious about unqualified recommendations of any but the most orthodox Catholic schools... and with very orthodox schools, you have the problem of being "more Catholic than the Pope."

I know at CUA, we have many fine faculty members and priests. Students talk among themselves, and it should be possible to find good people to hang out with. There is a mass in the Crypt Church on Sunday afternoon for students with Gregorian propers and a choir.

I myself recommend giving the student a copy of the catechism and working through it with them and teaching them to be respectful but critical of what every faculty member and priest says, critical in the sense of thinking about it. That way, they can encounter any priest and any faculty member with confidence that if they are upset by something, they can go back and refer to the catechism and understand either what they themselves have never heard before and so add to their understanding, or sigh that some priests and some professors are not as faithful as they should be. JPII and XVI have been explicit about this. JPIi in his address address to the youth at Toronto world youth day, XVI in the introduction to YouCat, the youth catechism. Always respectful, but firm in their faith.

Another consideration, how will she / her family be paying for college? It's hard enough to make money as a musician, much less if she has (tens of) thousands of dollars of student loans to pay off. Have her look through a copy of the musician's union newspaper, and look at the job ads, and the salaries. Then consider the fact that there are music schools churning out dozens of excellent violinists per year.

One of the top schools listed in the Newman Guide that many people don't consider is Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. Located just about 40 minutes north of Kansas City, Atchison offers a small-Midwest town feel with a stellar Catholic education. I am currently a student there studying Music (Piano Performance) as well as Theology and Philosophy. No, it's not a top grade music school like the East coast schools, but it does a fantastic job of doing its mission -- creating a community a faith and scholarship. Here's a link to their homepage if you would like more information about this school:

www.benedictine.edu/

I hope this helps! In any case, it's another option for a great Catholic school that strives daily to follow the guidance of Rome under our Holy Father, and one that offers courses/degrees in a variety of subjects in music.

A friend of mine got her music degree from CUA, in violin. I could get you in contact with her if you we're interested. Just send me a message on here and let me know. : )

The friend of mine would also be able to give advice about the situation of orthodoxy and if good truly catholic communities of students exist within CUA.