Join the VCU Wind & Percussion faculty for an audition prep workshop! The workshop will take place on November 10th at 2:00 p.m for District I and at 3:30PM for District III. This workshop for winds and percussion helps high school players with their District I and III etudes and scales. Participants will hone their skills and build their confidence.
VCUarts Music is excited to hold a Music Major for a Day for Prospective Students on April 3, 2024. Open House is projected to take place from 10am to 5pm. A detailed schedule will be sent out about a week ahead of time, with detailed directions and parking information. Plan to bring your instrument!
Interested students will have the opportunity to participate in: master classes, band rehearsals, orchestra sessions, choir rehearsals, info sessions and workshops. They will get a chance to meet with VCUArts Music faculty and current students, get a tour of our facilities, and more!
FEBRUARY 8th, 2025 SATURDAY 10am-12:30 ON ZOOM
REGISTER NOW
Cost $40 per participant ($55 after February 1)
This workshop for violin, viola, cello, bass, and harp helps high school string players prepare for the Virginia All-State audition. Guided by VCU String faculty, participants will hone their skills and build their confidence.
In this online workshop, you will hear us, the faculty, but we won’t hear you as we will keep you muted (unless you are asking a question). You’ll get tips on how to work on the trickiest of spots in your audition material with faculty on your instrument. Workshops on scale readiness and stagefright round out the workshop to allow you to be your best in the All-State Audition.
Schedule of Activities
10:00-10:25am Technique/Scale Blitz
10:30-11:15am Etude Workshop
– break –
11:20am-12:05pm Excerpt session
12:05-12:30pm Performance & Stagefright Training
Workshop includes handouts to keep and instruction over zoom. Looking for music? Audition materials for All-State Orchestra can be found at the VBODA.org website under events.
Faculty:
Violin: Professors Susanna Klein, Anna Williams
Viola: Professors Daniel Wiebe Burke, Stephen Schmidt
Cello: Professors Dana McComb, Mikhail Veselov
Bass: Professor Ayca Kartari
Harp: Professor Anastasia Jellison
VCUarts Music faculty members are professional musicians who currently perform with the Richmond Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Atlantic Chamber Ensemble, Classical Revolution and more. They have countless years of experience playing in professional orchestras and preparing successfully for auditions. Read more about our amazing professional string faculty here.
Stay up to date with string events by signing up for the VCU Strings Newsletter.
Join the VCU Wind & Percussion faculty for a free, one-hour virtual audition prep workshop! The virtual workshop will take place on February 12 at 7:00 p.m. This workshop for winds and percussion helps high school players prepare for the Virginia All-State audition. Participants will hone their skills and build their confidence. Please fill out this form to participate.
All cello, all afternoon! Stretch your playing and musicianship with a diverse offering of workshops in technique and creativity with like-minded community cellists. All participants will perform in a cello ensemble concert! Cellopalooza is an ideal experience for cellists age 12 to 99*, both students and teachers.
The Amazing Cellopalooza Faculty for 2024 is: Dana McComb & Mikhail Veselov with this year’s special guest artist Nicholas Photinos.
Registration fee $50 (Early Bird, up to October 15th ) or $65 (October 16th-November 10th).
Registration covers all workshops, rehearsals, T-shirt, boxed lunch
Event details:
- SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17TH 2024
- 12:00PM to 6:00PM
Workshops Topics:
- Practice Strategies for left hand/Sectionals
- Right Hand Technique/Sectional
- Young Artist Masterclass with Nicolas Photinos
- Cello Choir Rehearsal & Concert
Important Details – Please Read:
- Students younger than 12 must be accompanied by their parents or a teacher/guardian
- **Cellists will be assigned a cello ensemble part based on their experience. Cello teachers may join any cello choir section.
- Link to Cellopalooza Ensemble Music will be made available on November 7th
- T-shirt will be guaranteed for all who register by Wednesday November 6th
- Final schedule for the day, parking info and directions will be emailed the week of the event
Cellopalooza has been running for more than a decade!
Previous special guest artists have been:
Cellopalooza I: Bonnie Hampton, Juilliard
Cellopalooza II: Peter Wispelwey, International Artist
Cellopalooza III: Zuill Bailey, International Artist
Cellopalooza IV: Joel Krosnick, Juilliard Quartet
Cellopalooza V: Clive Greensmith, Tokyo Quartet
Cellopalooza VI: Alisa Weilerstein
Cellopalooza VII: Irene Sharp
Cellopalooza VIII: Paul Watkins
Cellopalooza IX: Sharon Robinson
Cellopalooza X: Emanuel Feldman
To be added to our Strings mailing list, please click here
Questions about Cellopalooza? Contact Dana McComb: dmmccomb@vcu.edu
More about this year’s Special Guest Artist:
Four-time Grammy Award-winning cellist Nick Photinos is one of the most innovative and multifaceted cellists of our time. An ardent advocate of new music, he has worked closely with many of the foremost composers of this era and has premiered hundreds of works throughout his career. He has received Musical America’s Ensemble of the Year Award, the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, the inaugural Chamber Music America Visionary Award, the Naumburg Award, and the Concert Artists Guild Grand Prize.
Stay up to date with string events by signing up for the VCU Strings Newsletter.
The VCU Choral Classic is an invitational event for high school choirs to attend.
Each fall choirs from across the state attend a half-day vocal workshop with our voice faculty followed by tours of campus, rehearsals in the concert hall, dinner at Shafer Dining Hall and culminating with Gala Concert featuring each of the guest choirs and the VCU Commonwealth Singers.
For more information, please contact Dr. Christopher Hansen.
We are please to host our third annual Clarinet & Double Reed Day on Saturday January 18, 2025.
All high school students who play clarinet, oboe, or bassoon are invited to spend a day of music-making featuring a clarinet choir directed by Dr. George Stoffan and a double reed ensemble directed by Dr. Bruce Hammel, bassoon and Alyssa McKeithen, oboe. Students will rehearse new music throughout the day and perform short selections at the end. A pizza lunch will be provided along with a short faculty recital and masterclasses on each instrument. Seniors will have the opportunity to audition for VCU Music that same day. Check-in will begin at 9:30am, and the day should end around 4pm. Registration is $20.00 and is open until January 16th.
REGISTER HERE for this event!
SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2025
12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
James Black Music Center, VCU
1015 Grove Ave Richmond, VA 23220
Join us for a day dedicated to all things bass at VCU Double Bass Day! This exciting workshop, led by VCU Bass Professor Ayça Kartari, features special guest artists Matt Gold, Christopher White, and Riley Zimmerman.
Develop your technique, make music with fellow bassists, and enjoy performing in the Double Bass Ensemble!
The Double Bass Workshop is open to Middle School and High School Bassists. Double Bass Teachers are also welcome to participate!
Meet Our Amazing Double Bass Faculty:
- Ayça Kartari (VCU)
- Riley Zimmerman (Richmond Symphony)
- Christopher White (Virginia Symphony, Old Dominion University)
- Matt Gold (College of William & Mary, Richmond Symphony)
Registration Information:
- $40 Early Bird (on or before March 13, 2025)
- $50 (March 14 and later, including walk-up registration)
- The fee covers all workshops and a snack.
- REGISTER HERE
Workshop Schedule (tentative)
12:30 PM – Arrival and Group Warm Up
1:00 PM – Technique Workshop with Faculty #1 (30 min)
1:30 PM – Technique Workshop with Faculty #2 (30 min)
2:00 PM – Snack/Break (10 min)
2:10 PM – Technique Workshop with Faculty #3 (30 min)
2:40 PM – Technique Workshop with Faculty #4 (30 min)
3:10 PM – Snack/Break (10 min)
3:20 PM – Bass Ensemble Rehearsal (50 min)
4:10 PM – Snack/Break (10 min)
4:20 PM – Faculty Recital & Bass Ensemble Concert (open to the public) (30 min)
Important Details:
- Ensemble parts will be assigned based on experience (registration includes a brief questionnaire).
- Sheet music will be provided via email two weeks before the event and will also be available on-site.
- Bassists should bring their own stools if needed; music stands will be provided by VCU
- Parking, directions, and additional details will be sent via email the week of the event.
- For questions about the Double Bass Workshop, please contact Bass Prof. Ayca Kartari at kartaria@vcu.edu
Faculty Bios:
Ayça Kartari
Born in Bilecik, Turkey, Ayça Kartari began studying the double bass at age 11. She earned a full scholarship to the International Yehudi Menuhin Music Academy and completed her graduate studies at the Lausanne Conservatory in Switzerland. As a performer, she has toured extensively across Europe, appearing at venues such as Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Konzerthaus (Berlin & Vienna), and Royal Albert Hall (London). In Richmond, she collaborates with the Williamsburg Symphony, Atlantic Chamber Ensemble, Opera in Williamsburg and Charlottesville Opera. She has also recorded with Spacebomb Records and directed Mozart Festival at Classical Revolution RVA.
Matt Gold
Matt Gold fell in love with the bass at age nine and studied with John Chiego (University of Memphis) and Lawrence Hurst (Indiana University). He has performed with the Memphis Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, and Richmond Symphony, and maintains an active career in rock, jazz, and classical music. As a dedicated educator, Matt teaches at William & Mary and the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute.
Christopher White
Christopher White is the Principal Bassist of the Virginia Symphony, as well as a member of the Grant Park Orchestra in Chicago where he performs every summer. Christopher studied at the University of Rhode Island with David Cobb, and the Manhattan School of Music, with Timothy Cobb (New York Philharmonic). Passionate about education, he teaches at Old Dominion University and the Governor’s School for the Arts, as well as maintaining a private studio.
Riley Zimmerman
Riley Zimmerman is the Acting Principal Bass of the Richmond Symphony. He earned degrees in Music Education (Duquesne University) and Double Bass Performance (Carnegie Mellon University). He has performed with the Cincinnati Symphony, New World Symphony, and Sarasota Opera. A past International Society of Bassists Orchestral Competition winner, Riley is also an active educator and clinician.
Stay up to date with string events by signing up for the VCU Strings Newsletter.
About GRYJB
The Greater Richmond Youth Jazz Band (formerly called GRHSJB) is made up of some of the most talented high school jazz students from the region. Alumni of this ensemble have gone on to major in music at such programs as VCU, Temple, Miami, The New School, Berklee, and at other institutions throughout the U.S.
Each year the group is selected through auditions, held in January. Rehearsals are held on Sundays from 2-4pm starting February 4, 2024, culminating with a concert at the Dominion Energy Center, Carpenter Theater on May 14 at 7pm.
STEP 1: Fill out the GRYJB application form.
STEP 2: Sign up for an audition time slot.
A non-refundable fee of $225 (or $300 max for two students from the same family) will be due by the first rehearsal. Scholarships are available for families with financial need. Contact Duane Coston (costonpd@vcu.edu) for the scholarship application.
GRYJB Audition Dates (SIGN UP HERE)
January 8, 2024, 4-8pm
January 9, 2024, 4-8pm
Location: James Black Music Center, 1015 Grove Ave, Richmond VA.
For more information, please contact Dr. Barnett barnettt@vcu.edu
Preparing for your Audition
Auditions will determine acceptance in the band, as well as chair placement. We welcome an extra copy of your sheet music. Backing tracks are allowed. Auditions will be 8 minutes in length.
Horns: Prepare the melody and, if possible, improvised solo over two contrasting tunes of your choice, especially swing, bossa, Afro-Cuban and samba. You will be asked to play a major scale in our choice of key, to assess range, tone and technique. You will also sight-read a short excerpt.
Piano, guitar, and bass: Prepare the melody, accompaniment, and, if possible, improvised solo over two contrasting tunes of your choice, especially swing, bossa, Afro-Cuban and samba. Potential comping in a variety of styles on request.. VCU will supply guitar and bass amps; students should bring their own 1/4″ cords. You will be asked to play a major scale in our choice of key, to assess range, tone and/or technique. You will also sight-read a short excerpt.
Drums: Unaccompanied performance of a variety of grooves on request, including swing, ballad, waltz, bossa, samba and Afro-Cuban, plus possibly trading fours. Drummers are required to bring their own cymbals, hi-hat clutch, sticks and brushes. You will also sight-read a short excerpt.
Possible audition tunes might include:
- Swing: “Autumn Leaves,” “Satin Doll,” “Now’s the Time,” “Take the ‘A’ Train” and “Stella by Starlight”
- Bossa: “Blue Bossa,” “Recorda-Me,” “Meditation,” Wave” and “Black Orpheus”
- Samba: Samba versions of the bossas above are acceptable.
- Afro-Cuban: “Mambo Inn” (2-3 clave), “Afro-Blue” (12/8), “Frenesí” (cha-cha),
“Como Fue” (cha-cha) and “A Night in Tunisia” (possible in a variety of settings) - Ballad: “In a Sentimental Mood,” “Body and Soul,” “My Funny Valentine,” “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” and “Misty”
- Waltz: “Up Jumped Spring,” “Someday My Prince Will Come,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “All Blues” and “Bluesette”
You are not limited to the above choices; these are merely examples. Please note that improvisation is not a requirement to join this ensemble; however, we are delighted to hear all levels of improv within your audition.
GRYWE Updated Promo Video from VCUarts Music on Vimeo.
Richmond’s Bands began in 1995 with the founding of the Greater Richmond Youth Wind Ensemble (GRYWE) for advanced high school musicians. The following year, the Richmond Honors Band was created as an opportunity for advanced middle school and young high school students and in response to popular demand, the Greater Richmond High School Jazz Band was added the following year.
The Richmond’s Bands program is a valuable addition to Richmond’s vibrant instrumental community, offering aspects of a district or all-state band experience within a long-term rehearsal environment.
The program has given Richmond-area students the opportunity to work with some of the finest conductors and teachers in the U.S. Guest conductors for GRYWE have included composer Timothy Mahr, retired United States Marine Band Director Colonel John Bourgeois, band clinician and author Ed Lisk and internationally renowned conductor David Whitwell. Students from Richmond’s Bands have gone on to study in some of the finest music schools in the country.
Connect with GRYWE on Facebook!
STEP ONE:
After you’ve completed your application, you will receive additional instructions via email about scheduling an audition slot.
Auditions will take place January 19th and 26th from 4:30-6:30pm at the Singleton Center for Performing Arts (922 Park Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23284). Auditions will be five minutes in length.
Students will be asked to perform a prepared piece of their choice. It is recommended that students perform their district etude if possible. Students should also be prepared to play scales and sight-read a short excerpt. Percussionists are only required to audition on one instrument but strong consideration will be given to those who demonstrate proficiency on snare, mallets and timpani. Percussionists must bring their own sticks, mallets, cymbals and clutch; percussion instruments will be provided by VCU.
For more information on GRYWE, contact Duane Coston at costonpd@vcu.edu.
VCU Jazz Girls Day, March 16, 2024
11am-4pm
VCU James Black Music Center
Free, Lunch Provided
Jazz Girls Day empowers young girls and non-binary gender students to have the skills needed for self-confidence in the performance of jazz. Jazz Girls Day is open to all students grades 6-12 interested in playing or singing jazz. Beginners to advanced and all instruments/voice are welcome. Jazz Girls Day is a safe, supportive atmosphere where all students can grow.
REGISTER FOR VCU JAZZ GIRLS DAY!
Deadline to register is March 9, 2024
VCU Middle School Summer Band Camp.
We are excited to announce our 3rd Annual Middle School Concert Camp! 2024 was a huge success and we have an exciting program prepared for you in 2025! REGISTER HERE
Dates: Monday-Thursday, June 23-26
Time: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Fee: $150 per student
Description: Middle school students will play in a large ensemble group, attend workshops, experience team building and meet new friends! Students will work directly with VCU Music Department faculty & students. Topics will include: Tone Production, Technique, Music Theory, Rhythmic Awareness, Equipment, Reed Care, and More! The camp will end with a festival performance in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall located in the Singleton Center for Performing Arts.
Sample Daily Schedule
9:00 AM Registration, Announcements and Seating
10:30 AM Snack Break
11:00 AM Section Rehearsals & Masterclass with VCU faculty!
12:00 PM Lunch (included)
12:45 PM Team Building & Skills Session
1:30 PM Rehearsal
3:00 PM Snack Break
3:20 PM Rehearsal & Skill Building Session
4:30 PM Rehearsal Ends
5:00 PM Dismissal
VCUarts Music is excited to announce VCU Summer Jazz Intensive 2025! This event will take place July 8-9, 2025 from 9:00am-4:00pm, with a FREE, informal performance for parents and families at 3pm on July 9th.
All events take place in the James Black Music Center (1015 Grove Ave, Richmond VA, 23284).
The format will be similar to past years including:
- students assigned to faculty-coached combos
- improvisation workshops
- instrument-specific clinics
- performances by VCU Jazz students and faculty music business and advocacy presentation
- free sessions on jazz pedagogy, for any teachers who attend with their students
- lunch and snacks provided
Jazz Intensive is open to intermediate-to-advanced high school jazz students. There are limited spots in the faculty-coached combos, to ensure a good size and instrumentation for each group.
Students must bring their own instrument. Guitarists and bassists should bring a 1/4″ cable and an amp, if possible. Drummers should bring sticks, brushes, cymbals, and hi-hat clutch. Drum sets will be provided.
VCU Summer Jazz Intensive is only $80 to attend.
REGISTER FOR VCU SUMMER JAZZ INTENSIVE
Deadline to register is July 1, 2025.