String Quartet – Quartetto di Cremona

This is a performance-oriented advanced training programme, aimed at ensembles with exceptional artistic skills who are strongly committed to pursuing a professional career. It comprises two training paths: 

 

• the annual Advanced Course, for string quartets and trios with piano ensembles; 

• the triennial Stauffer Performance Diploma Course, reserved for pre-formed string quartets with previous activity of at least one year. 

 

The structure of the lessons, common to all courses, includes group lessons with each member of the Quartetto di Cremona within each monthly session. This attending mode gives groups ample time for an in-depth study of the repertoire and allows for a thorough understanding of the peculiarities of each role of the quartet ensemble. 

 

The programme also includes a series of meetings and masterclasses dedicated exclusively to the ensembles enrolled in the three-year and annual programmes, with great artists of the international scene. In particular, the following Guest Professors will be present in the 2024-2025 academic year: 

 

Marc Danel (Danel Quartet)  

Ori Kam (Jerusalem Quartet)  

Günter Pichler (former first violin of Alban Berg Quartet) 

 

Furthermore, the academic programme includes a rich variety of concerts and special artistic projects, including the opportunity to participate in the  Chamber Music Week (a week of masterclasses and concerts with the extraordinary presence of  David Finckel  and  Wu Han), numerous concert opportunities and international exchanges with prestigious music institutions from all over the world. 

 

As from next year it will be possible to enroll with the “Ad Hoc” Quartet Formula, aimed at pre-formed string quartets that are interested in attending a masterclass with the Quartetto di Cremona within the Stauffer course, also in view of a possible future attendance of the annual courses. By choosing this formula, the ensembles will be able to attend up to a maximum of two sessions during the academic year, subject to verification of actual availability.  

 

Attending modes 

 

The Annual Advanced Course: for String Quartets and String and Piano Trios. The course lasts one year and involves attending 8 sessions of three days each, scheduled monthly between October and July. In addition to lessons with Professors, each group will have the opportunity to participate in supplementary activities (masterclasses with guest professors or artistic projects) scheduled during each academic year. 

  

The Stauffer Performance Diploma: the course lasts a maximum of three years, which can be reduced to two in agreement with the Professors and the Academic Management. Each year of the course involves attending 10 sessions of three days each, scheduled monthly between October and July. In addition to face-to-face lessons with the Professors, each group must participate in at least two supplementary activities to be chosen between masterclasses and artistic projects. Continued attendance is also subject to passing intermediate and final examinations. The final diploma exam will consist of an artistic project proposed by the graduating ensemble, consisting of a concert lasting approximately one hour, with free repertoire. 

   

Age limit: no older than 35 on the application deadline date.

 

Application deadline: 23:59 on 3rd September 2024. 

The following documents must be attached to the online application: 

• Copy of a valid identity document; 

• Copy of qualification, or self-certification of educational background; 

• Curriculum vitae of the ensemble and any repertoire already studied; 

• Admission examination programme. 

Once the registration has been completed by all members, a representative of each ensemble must forward an e-mail to accademia@stauffer.org (Subject: String Quartet – Name of ensemble) specifying the preferred attendance mode. 

 

Admission examinations: 16th September 2024, from 10 am. 

The examinations will take place exclusively “in person” at the Stauffer Academy, via S. Martino 6, Cremona. 

 

Admission examination programme – String Quartet: 

• Two contrasting movements of a quartet from the classical period (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or other) 

• J. Brahms: Andante moderato (2nd movement) from Quartet op. 51 No. 2 

• Two contrasting movements of a quartet from the historical twentieth century (late 1800s – ca. 1950s) 

  

Programme for trios with piano (annual course): 

• Two contrasting movements of a piano trio from the classical period (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or other) 

• Slow movement of a piano trio from the Romantic period 

• Two contrasting movements of a piano trio from the historical twentieth century (late 1800s – ca. 1950s) 

 

The Professors may request the performance of the entire programme or part of it. 

 

Candidates will receive the results of the selections by e-mail after the conclusion of the admission examinations. 

 

To register with the Quartet “Ad Hoc” Formula, the candidates are required to submit a video recording of two movements/pieces of contrasting styles as specified by September 3. It will also be possible to enroll with this formula later in the academic year, subject to availability. 

The candidate must create a YouTube video link and include it in the email, specifying the chosen programme in the video description. On this page, you can find all the necessary information to create a video that meets all the requirements. 

 

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.

 

More information can be found in the FAQ.