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 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 programme

This course 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.

Students enrolled in the Annual Course have access to the 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 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.

Guest Professors and masterclasses (dates to be confirmed):

• Luis Cabrera;
• Wies De Boevé;
• Riccardo Donati;
• Ermanno Calzolari.

Lesson and exam schedule:

• October 7-9, 2024;
• November 4-6, 2024;
• December 3-5, 2024;
• January 7-9, 2025;
• February 3-5, 2025;
• February 6, 2025: Stauffer Performance Diploma intermediate exam;
• March 3-5, 2025;
• April 14-16, 2025;
• May 5-7, 2025;
• June 3-5, 2025;
• July 2-4, 2025;
• July 5, 2025: Stauffer Performance Diploma final exam.

Masterclasses

• Rick Stotijn: December 3-6, 2024;
• Janne Saksala (Principal Double Bass, Berliner Philharmoniker): February 3-5, 2025;
• Francesco Siragusa (Principal Double Bass, Teatro alla Scala): March 24-27, 2025;
• Renaud Garcia-Fons: April 14-17, 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 May 19, 2025, by completing the form at this link 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;
• 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 on June 6, 2025, at the Stauffer Academy, Via S. Martino 6, Cremona.

Entrance exam programme:

• First movement of a concerto from the double bass repertoire;
• A virtuoso double bass piece at the candidate’s choice;
• A piece for double bass composed after 1980.

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 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 Professor’s availability. For further information, please write to [email protected].

The results of the entrance exams will be communicated by email by mid-July 2025.

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].