Private Lessons and Studio Class

In cello lessons, Professor Ransom seeks to:

• improve and expand students’ technical foundation on the instrument.
• develop each student’s individual artistic style.
• broaden students’ understanding of cello literature and performance practice.
• explore and refine the skills students need to become independent learners.
• encourage student performance opportunities, both on and off campus.

In studio class, students can expect to:

• practice performing
• hear varied repertoire.
• learn from peers.
• work on technique in a group setting.
• engage in a variety of studio related discussions, such as practice methods and body awareness.

Annual Popper Concert and Workshop for Cellists

Each fall, the ISU Cello Studio presents a concert of David Popper’s cello music, performed as solos, chamber ensembles, and cello choir. Middle school and high school students, as well as ISU alumni and other community friends, are invited to join the studio for this celebration of great cello music. Visit the Popper Concert and Workshop registration page for more details!

Undergraduate and Graduate Teaching Opportunities

The ISU String Project is a nationally recognized program that provides hands-on teaching opportunities for ISU’s string majors. Students work with 3rd-8th graders in large and small group classes, as well as in private lessons. Students gain experience in lesson planning and implementation, conducting, teaching basic set-up on all string instruments, administrative tasks, and more. Visit the ISU String Project and ISU String Project Facebook page to learn more about this program.

 

 

Undergraduate

For undergraduate admission, students should prepare: two contrasting pieces (or movements of larger works) and one short etude for admission to the School of Music. The following suggestions are representative of acceptable repertoire for undergraduate admission auditions. Students should not hesitate to use music similar in nature and difficulty.

• Sonata movements by Vivaldi, Eccles, Marcello, Boccherini, Breval, Brahms
• Concerto movements by Boccherini, Haydn, Saint-Saens, Goltermann, Elgar
• Short works by Popper, Faure, Bruch
• Prelude or dance movement from Bach Suites I – III
• Etudes: Dotzauer, Lee, Duport, Greutzmacher, Popper

Graduate Auditions

For graduate admission, students should prepare a minimum of: one full movement of a standard concerto; one full movement of a sonata, one movement of a Bach suite; one etude. The following suggestions are representative of acceptable repertoire for graduate admission auditions. Students should not hesitate to use music similar in nature and difficulty.

• Sonatas: Brahms, Shostakovich, Grieg, Francouer, Beethoven, Boccherini
• Concerti: Haydn, Elgar, Dvorak, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky
• Bach: Suites II – V
• Etudes: Duport, Greutzmacher, Popper, Piatti

On Campus

• Symphony Orchestra
• ISU Lab Orchestra
• Cello Choir
• ASTA activities
• Annual Popper Concert
• String Area Recitals
• String Chamber Music Recitals
• Redbird Road Concerts
• Master classes with guest artists

Off Campus

• ASTA events
• Redbird Road Concerts
• Sub/section auditions with various regional orchestras

• Joe Johnson, Principal Cellist, Toronto Symphony
• Bo Li, Cellist, Baltimore Symphony
• Bob Jesselson, Professor, University of South Carolina

• Abby Knoche (MusEd), Hazelwood East Middle and High School Orchestra Director
• Alex Brimkman(B.M., B.M.ed), Director of Middle School Orchestras, District 86, Joliet, iL
• Aryc Lane(M.M. Ed), Director of Orchestras, Reedy High School, TX
• Shannon Schultze(M.M.), Buffalo (NY) Suzuki Strings Teacher
• EunKyoung Son(M.M.), Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska- Kearney