Ashkenasi/Kirshbaum Chamber Music Seminar

The 2021 Ashkenasi/Kirshbaum Chamber Music Seminar will be 100% tuition free for successful applicants. The Seminar is named after famed artists and co-directors violinist Shmuel Ashkenasi (Curtis Institute of Music), and cellist Ralph Kirshbaum (USC Thornton School of Music). The seminar is open to advanced violin, viola, and cello students interested in a summer of intense and highly focused study of the masterworks of the chamber music literature. Pre-formed string quartets and piano trios preparing for professional careers are encouraged to apply.

Seminar Faculty

Additional Private Lesson Instruction

These and other Heifetz Institute faculty members will offer additional private leson instruction to students of the seminar.

• The seminar is limited to 12 participants – either individual musicians or pre-existing quartets or piano trios.
• Seminar students will receive three 80-minute coachings per week and 1 private lesson per week.
• There will be weekly chamber music Stars of Tomorrow concerts exclusively for Seminar participants.
• Other performance opportunities available on an approved basis, including Stars of Tomorrow, Wednesday and Sunday Matinees, Celebrity Series, and outreach performances.
• Seminar students may also participate in the Saturday night Heifetz Hootenanny multi-genre performances.
• The seminar includes Heifetz Performance and Communication Training classes exclusively for Seminar students.
• There will be nationwide Heifetz On Tour concert opportunities and residencies throughout the year for alumni.
• Seminar students will have the opportunity for residencies, partnerships, and audition opportunities with performing arts centers and major orchestras.
• The seminar has industry leading HD audio and video productions.

There are separate audition requirements for the Seminar. To be considered, please indicate your interest as part of your application. You may click here for more information regarding audition requirements for the Ashkenasi/Kirshbaum Chamber Music Seminar.

There are two application options:

Option A)
Individual (violin or cello): if you are applying as an individual, (e.g., not affiliated with a pre-existing ensemble), you will need to prepare and upload the following three videos:
1. A movement from a solo work by J.S. Bach (e.g., Sonatas and Partitas or Cello Suites).
2. A virtuosic piece clearly demonstrating technical accomplishment.
3. A substantial movement of a Sonata or Concerto from the Classical or Romantic era.

Individual (viola): if you are applying as an individual, (e.g., not affiliated with a pre-existing ensemble), you will need to prepare and upload the following three videos:
1. A movement from a solo work by J.S. Bach.
2. A virtuosic piece clearly demonstrating technical accomplishment.
3. Choose a major movement from a sonata from the standard repertoire OR a representative substantial portion of a concerto. Examples include (but are not limited to):

• First movement with cadenza of the D major concerti by Carl Stamitz or Franz Anton Hoffmeister
• First or second movement of the William Walton viola concerto.
• First or second and third movements of the Bela Bartok viola concerto.
• Any movement of Paul Hindemith’s Der Schwanendreher

Option B)
String Quartets and Piano Trios: The Chamber Music Seminar encourages pre-formed string quartets and piano trios, poised to launch professional careers, to apply as an intact ensemble. However, all members of the pre-formed group must submit separate, individual applications. Each member will need to indicate the name of the ensemble to which they belong.

All group applicants of a pre-existing ensemble will need to prepare and upload the following three videos:
1. Two contrasting movements from a Classical or Romantic era work.
2. One movement from a work written in the 20th or 21st Century.
3. One movement of choice from a work other than the works already included in your application.

If a member of your ensemble wishes to be considered for participation in our regular summer program, in the event that the group as a whole is not selected, you need to indicate that on your application. Again, to be considered for the regular summer program, you must ensure that your uploaded videos meet the criteria for regular admission.

Application Fees for the Chamber Music Seminar:
*No additional application fee will be required for individuals wishing to be considered for either the Chamber Music Seminar or the regular summer program.
*A full application fee will be required for any members of pre-existing ensembles (paying the reduced application fee of $65 per person) wishing to be considered for admission to the regular summer program as well.

Please email [email protected] for more information.