Concertmaster

The course is focused on the professional training of the role of the Concertmaster of the orchestra. Aimed at violinists with exceptional artistic talents, it offers an integrated pathway with intensive study sessions led by Concertmasters from some of the most important European orchestras:  

Laura Marzadori – Teatro alla Scala

• 25 – 28 November 2024

Andrea Obiso – Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia

• 9 – 13 December 2024

Sheryl Staples – New York Philharmonic

• 15 – 18 January 2025

Roman Simovic – London Symphony Orchestra

• 5 – 8 February 2025

Vesko Eschkenazy – Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

• 8 – 11 April 2025

Anton Barakhovsky – Bayerische Rundfunk

• April TBD

Noah Bendix-Balgley – Berliner Philharmoniker

• 22 -25 May 2025

Jiyoon Lee – Staatskapelle Berlin

• 17 – 20 June 2025

The faculty is complemented by orchestra conductors:

Kolja Blacher – Director

• 17 – 22 March 2025

John Axelrod – Director

•  8 – 11 July 2025

For two special sessions aimed at the realization of artistic projects with the Stauffer String Ensemble.

Duration of the course

October 2024 to July 2025, with intensive sessions of 4 days per month.

In addition to individual classes, a variety of integrative activities are planned, including in-depth masterclasses with guest professors, concerts, and artistic projects, open to all students.

Age limit: no more than 35 years old on the application deadline date (for new enrollments).

Application deadline: 11:59 pm on September 3, 2024.

The following documents should be attached to the application:

• Copy of a valid identity document
• Copy of degree, or self-certification of course of study
• Curriculum vitae and any repertoire already studied

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 of the video the program performed. At this link you can find all the directions for making a video that meets all the requirements.

AUDITION PROGRAMME

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 (mm 1-5)

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 scores; the candidate may choose the relevant edition.

Applicants will receive the results of the selections at the e-mail address provided during applications, 30 days before the beginning of the course.

A registration fee of €55.00 is required for the application. The fee is non-refundable.

Tuition fees are entirely supported by the Stauffer Foundation.

Other costs related to travel, board and lodging in Cremona and other personal expenses are borne by the students themselves.