Private Lessons

Lessons are scheduled with the professor and meet weekly. These lessons focus on technique, style, & musicianship. 

Master Class

Weekly double bass master class- meets every Monday afternoon from 3-4. The ISU Double Bass Ensemble gives an annual evening concert of music exclusively for basses

Chamber Music

This component of the studio is a great way for musicians to work in small ensembles like trios, quartets, etc. These groups are often arranged by the professor. While some groups are comprised of one instrument, many others include a mixture of instruments. 

The String Project

The String Project is a unique program within ISU that allows string players to teach aspiring students. This program helps to strengthen educational foundations for the players and for the young teachers. These lessons and workshops focus on posture, note reading, technique & more. More information can be found on The String Project page. 

Suggested Repertoire

The following suggestions are representative of acceptable repertoire for undergraduate admission auditions. You are NOT limited to what is listed. Students should not hesitate to use music similar in nature and difficulty.

Baroque

• Movements from the Bach suites (any edition)
• Vivaldi, Eccles, Birkenstock
• Marcello sonatas

Classical

• Capuzzie
• Dragonetti
• Vanhal
• Sperger
• Dittersdorf
• Keyper

Romantic

• Works by Bottesini.

20th century

• Kousevitsky
• sonatas by Vagn Holmboe
• David Ellis
• Levitan
• a good anthology from which to choose is Schirmer’s Solos for the Double Bass Player. 

On Campus

• Symphony Orchestra
• Chamber Music
• Jazz Bands
• Jazz Combo
• Wind Symphony
• Outreach opportunities through Illinois State University student ASTA chapter

• Evan Runyon, freelance acoustic and electric bassist

• Dorian Jackman, Doctoral Fellow at Indiana University
• Michael White, Doctoral Fellow at University of Iowa
• Jacob Mariani, studying Early Music at the Schola Cantorum in Basel Switzerland