Masterclasses
Masterclasses
The Donna Weng Friedman ’80 Masterclass Series provides students from across campus the unique opportunity to connect one-on-one with renowned performers in a workshop format that is open to the public. In 2024-2025, our guest artists will include pianist Min Kwon, oboist Elaine Douvas, violinist Curtis Stewart, and violist Misha Amory.
In addition, artists appearing as part of the Princeton University Concerts series often offer masterclasses for Princeton University students during their visits to campus. These have included conductor Gustavo Dudamel, opera star Joyce DiDonato, and pianist Richard Goode.
Student masterclasses participants are selected by the appropriate faculty Program Director in consultation with members Studio Faculty. Offers to participate in a masterclass will come in writing from Music Department Staff. To express interest in participating in an upcoming Masterclass, please contact your Studio Faculty member. For further questions on Masterclasses, please contact the Program Manager for Performance Activities.
Concerto Competitions
The Princeton University Orchestra (“PUO”) and Sinfonia’s annual concerto competitions provide solo artists a chance to perform in concert with a full orchestra on the renowned Richardson Auditorium stage or a Reunions festivities.
The Princeton University Orchestra‘s annual concerto competition, offers all currently-enrolled Princeton University students a chance to perform as a soloist with the ensemble—an internationally-recognized orchestra of over 100 undergraduate and graduate student musicians, conducted by Maestro Michael Pratt. Students do not have to be members of the Orchestra to participate in the competition.
Judges for the 2024 Concerto Competition will be announced in the Fall Semester. Dates for the competition are as follows:
November 25, 2024 – Preliminary Round in the Lee Rehearsal Room
December 4, 2024 – Final Round in the Lee Rehearsal Room between 3:30-6:30pm
The competition takes place in two rounds, judged by distinguished members of the Northeastern musical community. During the 15-minute preliminary round, judges can ask for any section(s) from the concerto/work, which must be prepared in its entirety. No more than six finalists pass into a final round in which each participant will have a maximum of 30 minutes to play. Participants are expected to provide their own accompanist, if needed.
In order to participate in the competition, students must be active in the musical life of the University and present a signed statement from their private teacher confirming the student’s readiness to perform the proposed work in public. Any winner(s) from the previous year may not compete.
*Sign-ups will be open until 4pm on Friday, November 22, 2024.
Competition winners Haeun Jung, Violin and Katie Liu, Viola perform Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in E-flat major, K. 364
The Princeton University Sinfonia often features its own student members in solo repertory, whether a complete concerto or a portion of a work. These opportunities happen through thoughtful consideration of the orchestra’s instrumental resources, and with the approval of the conductor. Any interested students should contact Sinfonia’s director, Ruth Ochs.
