Advanced Programme

This course is reserved for a selected group of highly promising ensembles. It is structured in ten monthly sessions, scheduled between October and July. Each session includes three days of lessons; additional days may be allocated for exams or complementary activities.

The duration of the course is three years and includes the following exams:

• First and second year: Intermediate exam (February) + End-of-year exam for promotion to the subsequent year (July);
• Third year: Intermediate exam (February) + Diploma exam with artistic project (July). The diploma exam consists of a public concert, with the presence of a Panel.

The course duration can be reduced to two years, in agreement with the Professor and the Academic Director.

Ensembles enrolled in the Performance Diploma Course have priority and direct access to all the complementary activities (masterclasses and artistic projects), without further selection.

Ensembles who are not admitted to the Performance Diploma may be considered for the Annual and the Ad Hoc Courses, subject to the available places and the position in the ranking list.

Performance Diploma exam programmes.

This course, open to string quartets, is structured in eight monthly sessions, normally scheduled between October and July, with three days of lessons per session. Additional days may be allocated for complementary activities.

Ensembles enrolled in the Annual Course have access to complementary activities. Attendance of some masterclasses may require a further selection through a video audition.

It is possible to attend multiple consecutive years of the Annual Course, subject to passing the entrance exam.

This flexible, less intensive option is designed for ensembles who are already engaged in a professional career or for those with limited availability who wish to attend targeted sessions for specific needs. It may also be suitable for younger groups seeking preparatory training for future admission to the main courses.

The Ad Hoc Course guarantees attendance of two sessions throughout the Academic Year.

Enrolment is subject to a selection through a video audition. It is also possible to apply during the academic year, subject to the Professors’ availability.

The ad hoc formula can be requested for only one academic year.

Lessons Schedule

1, 2, 3 October 2026

2, 3, 4 November 2026

14, 15, 16 December 2026

11, 12, 13 January 2027

9, 10, 11 February 2027

1, 2, 3, 4 March 2027

12, 13, 14 April 2027

12, 13, 14 May 2027

16, 17, 18 June 2027

29, 30 June, 1, 2, 3 July 2027

Guest Professors

François Kieffer cello

Quatuor Modigliani

11 – 12 – 13 January 2027

Lukas Hagen violin

Hagen Quartet

9 – 10 – 11 February 2027

Lech Antonio Uszynski viola

12 -13 – 14 May 2027

Quartet in Residence | Masterclass & Concert:

Rosamunde Quartet

Noah Bendix-Balgley, Shanshan Yao violins 

Teng Li viola

Nathan Vickery cello

25-26-27 January 2027

Lesson and exams schedule:

14-16 October 2025;

20-22 November 2025;

16-18 December 2025;

21-23 January 2026;

11-14 February 2026;

14 February: intermediate Performance Diploma Exams

16-18 March 2026;

15-17 April 2026;

25-27 May 2026;

18-20 June 2026;

30 June – 2 July 2026;

4-5 July 2026: Performance Diploma Exams

Guest Professors:

Alasdair Tait: 20-22 November 2025;

Volker Jacobsen: 16-18 March 2026;

Philip Setzer: 25-27 May 2026.

Playing with the Maestro:

Andrea Lucchesini: 13-15 April 2026;

David Shifrin: 17-20 June 2026.

Artistic Projects / Workshops:

Viktoria Mullova & Matthew Barley | Tradition and Improvisation: 13-18 April 2026.

Stauffer String Ensemble:

9-13 December 2025 (conductor: Roman Simovic)

20-24 April 2026 (conductor: Kolja Blacher)

3-7 July 2026 (conductor: Jean Christophe Spinosi)

The courses are open to students of all nationalities, not older than 35 at the application deadline.

Applications must be compiled by every member of the ensemble and submitted online by no later than 11:59 PM on June 15, 2026, by completing the form through the button “Apply now” and attaching the following documents:

• A valid ID;
• A copy of the diploma or certificate of studies;
• A curriculum vitae of the ensemble, preferably with a list of the repertoire studied;
• The programme of the entrance exam;
• For Ad Hoc applicants: a link to the video recording.

A non-refundable annual registration fee of EUR 55.00 is required when submitting the application.

Tuition fees are fully covered by the Stauffer Foundation; travel, accommodation and living expenses in Cremona are to be borne by the students.

The entrance exams for the Performance Diploma and the Annual Advanced Course will be held live at the Stauffer Academy, Via S. Martino 6, Cremona, on 3 July 2026, starting with the re-admissions of the students who have already studied at the Academy in the 2025/2026 Academic Year, then with all the new admissions.

Entrance exam programmes

Performance Diploma and Annual Advanced Course:

• Two contrasting movements from a Classical-period quartet (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or others);
• Brahms: Andante moderato (2nd movement) from Quartet Op. 51 No. 2;
• Two contrasting movements from a 20^th-century quartet (late 1800s – circa 1950).

The Professors may request the performance of all or part of the programme.

Re-admission programme (only for students already enrolled):

• A movement from a Classical-period quartet (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or others);
• A slow movement from a Romantic-era string quartet;
• A movement from a 20^th-century quartet (late 1800s – circa 1950).

To apply for the Ad Hoc Course, please send the link to a video recording of two pieces/movements of contrasting periods/styles. The requirements for video recordings are described on this page. Applications submitted during the year may be accepted, subject to the Professors’ availability. For further information, please write to [email protected].

The results of the entrance exams will be communicated by e-mail within a week after the completion of the entrance exams.