Concertmaster Artist Programme

This course offers the unique opportunity to study with Concertmasters from leading European orchestras. Students will meet one Professor per month, deepening their study of the orchestral and solo repertoire, going on to develop the essential qualities to fill the role of concertmaster, thus coming into contact with the best professionals in the international music community.

Duration: one academic year

Period: from October 22 to July 23, with intensive sessions of 4 days per month

Attendance on all class days is mandatory.

Lesson Schedule:

October 24-27, 2023: Lisa Schatzman – Luzerner Sinfonieorchester

December 11-15, 2023: Andrea Obiso – Orchestra of the National Academy of Santa Cecilia

February 6-9, 2024: Roman Simovic – London Symphony Orchestra

February 26-29, 2024: Hanna Weinmeister – Zurich Philharmonia

March 18-21, 2024: Laura Marzadori – Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala

April 9-12, 2024: Vesko Eschkenazy – Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

May 7-10, 2024: Anton Barakhovsky – Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

June 17-20, 2024: Lothar Strauss – Staatskapelle Berlin

July 2-5, 2024: Lorenza Borrani – Chamber Orchestra of Europe

July 4-7, 2024: John Axelrod – Orchestra Conductor

The course is open to citizens of any nationality, aged up to 35 years.

Level of training:

Master Degree / Diploma issued by a Music Conservatory or equivalent school / institution in Italy or abroad.

Exceptions to the above requirements may be allowed, in the presence of exceptional artistic and performing qualities, at the discretion of the teaching commission.

Language: English and Italian

Application deadline: 23:59 CET on 14 September 2023.

Application procedure:

Applications must be made exclusively by filling in the form available in the “Apply” section, by clicking the button at the bottom of this page.

Applications sent by e-mail or through different channels will not be accepted.

The following documents must be attached to the application form:

• Copy of a valid identity document
• Copy of the Degree, if any. Self-certification of studies may also be considered valid
• Curriculum vitae, any repertoire already studied and previous work experience in orchestra
• Receipt of payment of administrative fees

Administrative fees:

In order to finalise the application, payment of a fixed secretarial fee of €50.00 (net of any currency and commission charges) by bank transfer is required. All payment details can be found in the full application rules (downloadable below).

The fee is non-refundable.

The admission exam consists of a video audition. The candidate must create a link to a YouTube video, to be included in the application form, specifying in the description the program performed. At this link you can find all the directions for making a video that meets all the requirements.

PROGRAM

Concertos:

• Exposition and Cadence of Mozart’s Concerto No. 4 or 5.
• Exposition of a Romantic Concerto

Required orchestral and solo excerpts:

• Strauss: Don Juan (First page, from the beginning to the 13th bar after C)
• Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, mvt. II (beginning through A)

One orchestral excerpt to be chosen from:

• Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, mvt. III (mm 99-114)
• Schumann: Symphony No. 2, mvt II (mm 1-54)
• Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, Overture (last 49 bars, upper staff)
• Verdi: La forza del destino (mm 9 – 43)
• Verdi: Traviata, Prelude from Act III

One solo passage to be chosen from:

• Haydn: Symphony No. 6 “Le Matin,” mvt II (mm 18-43)
• Brahms: Symphony No. 1, mvt II (from letter E to the end)
• Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Suite No. 4 (from number 26 to the end)
• Strauss: Ein Heldenleben (no. 22 – 32)

Stauffer Academy does not provide for scores; the candidate may choose the relevant edition.

Selection is at the unquestionable discretion of the Faculty and Academic Direction.
Applicants will receive the results of the selections at the e-mail address provided during applications, 20 days before the beginning of the course.

The course is completely free of charge.

Costs relating to travel, board and lodging in Cremona and other personal expenses are the responsibility of the students themselves.

There is no re-enrollment option for the course.

At the end of the studies, a Diploma is issued and, upon the proposal of the Professors, a certificate of merit, if any.

The course may be attended by a limited number of auditors, who will be admitted at the sole discretion of the Professors.

For any information regarding enrollment in the Academy’s study programs, please write to accademia@stauffer.org.