Advanced Programme

This course is reserved for a selected group of highly promising students. 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.

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

Students who are not admitted to the Stauffer 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.

This flexible, less intensive option is designed for musicians 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 musicians 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 Professor’s availability.

The lesson and exam schedule will be available shortly.

Lesson and exam schedule

• October 21-23, 2024;
• November 25-27, 2024;
• December 16-18, 2024;
• January 20-22, 2025;
• February 27 – March 1, 2025;
• March 17-19, 2025;
• April 22-24, 2025;
• May 12-14, 2025;
• June 2-5, 2025.

Masterclasses

• Enrico Dindo: May 14-17, 2025
• Giovanni Sollima: July 2-5, 2025

Artistic Projects

• Stauffer String Ensemble’s concerts:
  • March 21, conducted by Kolja Blacher;
  • July 11, conducted by John Axelrod.

The courses are open to students of all nationalities, not older than 28 at the application deadline.

Applications must be submitted online by no later than 11:59 PM on June 16, 2025, by completing the form (through the “Apply” button) and attaching the following documents:

• A valid ID;
• A copy of the diploma or certificate of studies;
• A curriculum vitae, preferably with a list of the studied repertoire;
• The programme for the entrance exam;
• The link to the video recording, for the “Ad Hoc” formula and the preliminary phase (see “Entrance Exams” section).

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 consist of two phases.

For the preliminary phase, candidates must submit a video recording no later than 11:59 PM on June 16, 2025, featuring the following repertoire:

• One Caprice by Alfredo Piatti (of the candidate’s choice);
• The first movement of Schumann’s Cello Concerto or Elgar’s Cello Concerto (of the candidate’s choice).

The requirements for video recordings are described on this page.

The results of the pre-selection will be announced by mid-July 2025. Candidates who pass the pre-selection phase will be invited to the final exams, which will be held live on September 16, 2025, at the Stauffer Academy, Via S. Martino 6, Cremona.

Programme of the final exam in presence:

• S. Bach: One Suite for solo cello (BWV 1007-1012, of the candidate’s choice). Memorization is recommended;
• The first movement of a concerto for cello and orchestra from the standard repertoire;
• A sonata or a similar work for cello and piano (the candidate must choose a concerto and a sonata from different periods);
• One Caprice by Alfredo Piatti or an Étude by David Popper.

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

To apply for the Ad Hoc Course, please send the link to a video recording with the following programme:

• One Caprice by Alfredo Piatti (of the candidate’s choice);
• The first movement of Schumann’s Cello Concerto or Elgar’s Cello Concerto (of the candidate’s choice).

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 following the completion of the entrance exams.

Piano accompanist

The Academy’s accompanist will be available for the entrance exams. Is it not possible to rehearse with the accompanist before the exams.

If you wish to perform with your own accompanist, please inform the Academic Office in advance, sending his/her name and ID to [email protected].