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TCW Cello Competitions

Since 2008 the Tennessee Cello Workshop has included cello competitions. This year we will run three cello competitions during the TCW. PARTICIPATION IN THE CELLO COMPETITIONS IS OPTIONAL. Many of the TCW participants will participate in the competitions. Many will not.

The three categories for the TCW Cello Competitions are based on the contestant’s age on February 19, 2010:

• Junior High School Division: cellists who have not yet turned 13.
• Senior High School Division: age 13 through 18.
• Collegiate and Professional Division: age 17 and up, having at least started collegiate study.

The format of the competitions will be somewhat different this year than in preceding years.

• ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL PLAY AN INITIAL AUDITION ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, starting in the mid morning.
• Written comments on all performances will be provided to all who perform in the first round. The first round will be held without piano accompaniment. TCW guest artists and faculty will be listening and evaluating these performances.

Competition Prizes :

The competition prize winners will be publicly acknowledged at the luncheon on Sunday. First prize winners of the high school and collegiate competitions will perform the first movement of the Haydn Concerti that afternoon with the University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra.

In the interest of aiding young cellists in their musical studies, and in keeping the our prize sponsors’ wishes, all prizes this year are designated as scholarships for summer music camps or collegiate study. 

• Junior High School division: $400, $200, $100
• High School Division: $600, $300, $150
• Collegiate/Young Professional Division : $1,250, $625, $350
• Special prize: Cello bow by  master bow maker Joshua Henry
• Bow maker Joshua Henry is graciously sponsoring the special prize: a cello bow by made exclusively for this competition, to be awarded to a finalist from one of the three divisions, based on both demonstrated artistic excellence and need for a more excellent cello bow. This prize is meant to provide a young cellist a needed tool to aid them in their cellistic and musical growth.
• Two winners’ concerts
• On Friday night, all finalists will perform in recital
• On the Sunday afternoon concert, prize winner’s in both the high school and collegiate division will perform as cello soloists with the University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Music Director, Professor James Fellenbaum.
• First place, high school division: Haydn C major Concerto, mvt. 1
• First place, collegiate division: Haydn D major Concerto, mvt. 1

Repertoire requirements:

Junior Division

• Saint Saens - Allegro Appassionato
• J. S. Bach - Any movement from the first 3 Suites for Solo Cello, BWV 1007, 1008, 1009

High School Division

• Joseph Haydn - Concerto in C major, first movement+
• J. S. Bach - any two movements from the first 3 Suites for Solo Cello

Collegiate/Young Professional Division

• Joseph Haydn - Concerto in D major, first movement+
• J. S. Bach - Prelude and one other movement from Suite 4, 5, or 6
• Other movement of candidate’s choice, for unaccompanied cello or cello and piano

“+” indicates the literature to be performed by the first place winner of that division with the UT Symphony in the Sunday afternoon concert.

Time Limits

Performances of all pieces by a contestant may not exceed the following time limits.

Preliminary round

• Junior division: 8 minutes
• High School division: 15 minutes
• Collegiate Division: 25 minutes

Deadline and requirements for entries:

To enter the TCW cello competitions, simply indicate your desire to participate in the competitons on your registration form and submit that form and your fee payment to the TCW by February 1, 2010. All entrants will then be scheduled to play the first round for adjudication on Friday, February 19.