Viola students at Lamont are part of a tight-knit and encouraging studio dedicated to the pursuit of musical excellence. They study with the principal violist of the Colorado Symphony, Professor Basil Vendryes. Previously, Professor Vendryes was a member of the San Francisco Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic. He has also performed as a soloist across the country and globe and recorded for Columbia, Phillips, Decca, RCA and Nonesuch as well as chamber music for the Ariel Music, Cadenza Music, Centaur, CRI Toccata and Naxos labels.
Professor Vendryes has two new recordings on the Toccata label, Three Centuries of Russian Viola Sonatas and Paul Juon: Chamber Music for Viola.
Auditions
Applicants may choose to either audition in person in Denver OR submit a recorded video audition.
Applications received after January 15 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. You may indicate your preference for a live or virtual audition on the Lamont application.
Click here to view the current year’s audition dates and the full steps for how to apply.
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In-Person Audition Requirements
All auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length. The applicant will choose one of their prepared works to perform. The faculty will choose the second of the prepared works and possibly an additional work as well.
Undergraduate (BM, BA and Minor)
1. Your choice of one major AND one minor 3 octave scale that is NOT C major or c minor. It is preferred that you play 3 or 4 slurred notes per bow. You should also play the arpeggio series related to the chosen scales, minimum of major and minor arpeggios, 3 or 9 slurred preferred.
2. One etude of your choice, minimum difficulty level of:
- Mazas, Opus 36
- Dont, 24 Studies, Opus 37
- Kreutzer, 42 Studies
3. Two contrasting movements of a work by Bach (Suites for Cello or Sonatas/Partitas for Violin, transcribed for viola)
4. A movement (or movements, if connected) of a work of your choice, difficulty level of:
- F.A. Hoffmeister, Concerto in D Major (with cadenzas)
- Hummel, Fantasy
- Stamitz, Concerto, Opus 1 (with cadenzas)
- Schubert, Arpeggione Sonata
Graduate (MM and Certificate in Performance)
1. Your choice of one major AND one minor 3 octave scale that is NOT C major or c minor. It is preferred that you play 4 or 6 slurred notes per bow. You should also play the full arpeggio series related to the chosen scales. Flesch or Galamian series is acceptable.
2. One etude/caprice of your choice, minimum difficulty level of Kreutzer, Rode or Campagnoli.
3. Two contrasting movements of an unaccompanied work by Bach (Suites, Sonatas, or Partitas). If you choose a Suite, one movement should be a Prelude.
4. A movement of a modern concerto, difficulty level of Walton, Bartók or Hindemith (Der Schwanendreher).
5. A movement of a sonata or work with piano (ex. Brahms, Clarke, Vieuxtemps, Shostakovich, Hindemith, Schumann).
Review Requirements for Artist Diploma
Review Requirements for Certificate in Orchestral Studies -
Video Audition Requirements
Applicants unable to travel to Denver for a live audition may submit a video audition via the Lamont application. Repertoire may be recorded separately in multiple takes; editing within each take is prohibited.
Undergraduate (BM, BA and Minor)
1. Your choice of one major AND one minor 3 octave scale that is NOT C major or c minor. It is preferred that you play 3 or 4 slurred notes per bow. You should also play the arpeggio series related to the chosen scales, minimum of major and minor arpeggios, 3 or 9 slurred preferred.
2. One etude of your choice, minimum difficulty level of:
- Mazas, Opus 36
- Dont, 24 Studies, Opus 37
- Kreutzer, 42 Studies
3. Two contrasting movements of a work by Bach (Suites for Cello or Sonatas/Partitas for Violin, transcribed for viola)
4. A movement (or movements, if connected) of a work of your choice, difficulty level of:
- F.A. Hoffmeister, Concerto in D Major (with cadenzas)
- Hummel, Fantasy
- Stamitz, Concerto, Opus 1 (with cadenzas)
- Schubert, Arpeggione Sonata
Graduate (MM and Certificate in Performance)
1. Your choice of one major AND one minor 3 octave scale that is NOT C major or c minor. It is preferred that you play 4 or 6 slurred notes per bow. You should also play the full arpeggio series related to the chosen scales. Flesch or Galamian series is acceptable.
2. One etude/caprice of your choice, minimum difficulty level of Kreutzer, Rode or Campagnoli.
3. Two contrasting movements of an unaccompanied work by Bach (Suites, Sonatas, or Partitas). If you choose a Suite, one movement should be a Prelude.
4. A movement of a modern concerto, difficulty level of Walton, Bartók or Hindemith (Der Schwanendreher).
5. A movement of a sonata or work with piano (ex. Brahms, Clarke, Vieuxtemps, Shostakovich, Hindemith, Schumann).
Review Requirements for Artist Diploma
Review Requirements for Certificate in Orchestral Studies
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Basil Vendryes.
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Lamont violists perform with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra.
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String quartet performing at the annual Lamont Honors Concert.
