Violin
Kathleen Winkler, Peter Salaff , Jeff Thayer (weeks 1-8)
With special guests Glenn Dicterow (weeks 7 & 8), the Miró Quartet, and Gil Shaham
The Music Academy accepts 25-27 violinists each summer.
Violin applicants have the opportunity to select their preference for the studio of one faculty member, and indicate their faculty selection by the application deadline (those who apply for a live audition must email admissions to indicate their faculty member preference, and those who submit a DVD audition recording must list the faculty member preference on the DVD).
For detailed program information regarding weekly private lessons, masterclasses, orchestra, chamber music, and the concerto competition, see the "Strings, Winds, Brass and Percussion" webpage.
String Quartet Seminar — new this year!
The Music Academy of the West is pleased to offer an intensive String Quartet Seminar (SQS) as part of its 65th anniversary Summer School and Festival. Sixteen string Fellows (eight violinists, four violists, and four cellists) will be selected to participate in this two-week program. Featuring intensive coaching with Academy faculty members Peter Salaff and David Geber as well as masterclasses with the celebrated Miró Quartet, the seminar will conclude with a String Quartet Performance Marathon. This new program is designed to improve musicianship, teach rehearsal and problem-solving skills, and expose participants to an essential repertory.
All accepted violin, viola, and cello Fellows are eligible for this unique program. Separate applications will be made available during the audition process. Enrollment is limited and will be determined by level of interest and experience. The SQS will take place during weeks five and six of the Summer School and Festival (July 16-29). The four string quartets chosen for this program will study and rehearse together daily, and will be relieved of all orchestral and other chamber activities for the duration of the SQS. Participants will continue to receive private instruction and attend related masterclasses during this time period; they will remain eligible to compete in the Concerto Competition.
Additional information is available at .
application Process
Violin applicants must 1. submit an online application and 2. perform a live audition OR submit a video DVD audition recording. Equal enrollment consideration is granted to both audition methods. Live auditions are filmed for later review by the violin faculty member selected by the applicant.
Applying by the deadline does not guarantee a live audition; live auditions are first come, first served. See below prior to applying to verify if a particular city's audition schedule is already full.
STRINGS AUDITION DATES THAT ARE ALREADY FULL
(contact admissions regarding waiting list):
NYC: Sunday, January 22 (schedule full as of January 4)
Boston: Tuesday, January 31 (schedule full as of January 4)
Cleveland: Tuesday, February 7 (schedule full as of January 4)
the application
The online application requires three components: the application data, a one-page resume, and a short (100 word) statement explaining why you wish to attend the Music Academy.
An application fee must be paid by credit card or electronic check when submitting the online application. Application fees are NON-refundable.
AUDITION REPERTOIRE - SUMMER 2012 APPLICANTS
All selections must be unaccompanied and in the following order
If applying to Mr. Salaff's or Ms. Winkler's studio:
2. Two contrasting movements of unaccompanied Bach (applicant may petition to substitute for the Bach a work of equivalent musical and technical scope. Such petitions must be directed to the appropriate faculty member)
If applying to Mr. Thayer's studio, with a concentration in orchestra leadership:
1. A movement from a standard concerto of the 19th or 20th century, without accompaniment
Choose 2 of the following 3 orchestral exerpts:
1. Brahms, Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Mvt II: Solo
2. Strauss, Don Juan, first page
3. Beethoven, Symphony No. 3 "Eroica," III (Scherzo): beginning until to the Trio, with the repeat
*Mr. Thayer accepts Fellows who, in addition to participating in all Academy musical programs, will focus especially on issues related to orchestra leadership, performance and preparation. See program details at the end of this page.
VIDEO DVD AUDITION RECORDING: Applicants who do not audition live must submit 1 copy of a continuous, unedited DVD (do not stop or pause filming between repertoire selections). DVDs must be playable on a standard DVD player. Write your full name, "violin" and the faculty member of your choice on the DVD and case (please do not adhere labels to the DVD). Mail DVD to:
Admissions
Music Academy of the West
1070 Fairway Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Visit "Application Deadlines and Audition Dates" for further instructions
Orchestra Leadership Training
The Music Academy offers an innovative program for string Fellows interested in deepening their understanding and experience of the role of the section leader in the modern symphony orchestra. The program has two elements: the Seminar in Orchestra Leadership, open to all string Fellows who aspire to be orchestra section leaders; and the studio of Mr. Thayer, also titled the Concentration in Orchestra Leadership studio, open to violinists who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential. Fellows accepted into the Concentration in Orchestra Leadership studio work directly with concertmaster Jeff Thayer in weekly sessions, and focus specifically on the work of the concertmaster. Applicants interested in the Concentration in Orchestra Leadership studio must indicate Mr. Thayer as their preferred faculty member prior to the auditions.
________________________________________________________________
Emeritus faculty member: Zvi Zeitlin
