Faculty
Norman Fischer , Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Cello, Chair of Chamber Music
Desmond Hoebig , Professor of Cello
Brinton Averil Smith , Associate Professor of Cello
Valentin Radutiu , Professor of Cello (starting fall 2025)
Audition Requirements
Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2024 by 11:59 PM (EST)
For admission into the Artist Diploma program in cello, each applicant must play an audition showing a high and consistent level of artistry as well as a background indicating considerable performance experience. Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable.
Required prescreening repertoire is by video submission
Please include the following:
- Two concerti; one (1) Haydn and one (1) major Romantic or 20th century, first movement only
- Two contrasting movements of Bach
- A contemporary unaccompanied work
Required live audition repertoire
The repertoire for the audition must include one work from each of the following groups:
- Bach - Any of the six Solo Suites (complete) from memory
- A concerto (from memory) by Barber; Bloch Schelomo; Dvorak; Elgar; Hindemith; Prokofiev Op. 125; Schumann; Shostakovich No. 1 or 2; Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations; or Walton.
- A concerto (from memory) by Haydn in D Major or C Major
- A sonata by Beethoven or Brahms
- A work in a contemporary idiom written within the last seventy-five years. (If longer than 10 minutes, a representative 10-minute portion is sufficient.) Applicants are encouraged to consider choosing a work of a female or other underrepresented minority composer.
- One of the following from Group A or B, of not less than 5 minutes in duration, from memory A. A sonata by Locatelli, Francoeur, Boccherini or Valentini. B. A virtuoso work by Sevais or David Popper, or 2 Piatti Caprices.
For works that require piano accompaniment, the Shepherd School will provide a pianist and limited rehearsal time if requested. If the Shepherd School is to provide the pianist, all piano parts must be made available three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the jury may decide to hear only certain portions.
Auditions with interviews will be held February 4 or 5, 2025.