Lamont offers an exceptional environment for violists, combining individualized instruction with world-class resources and performance opportunities. Our studio is vibrant and collaborative, where violists challenge and support one another in pursuit of artistic excellence. Guided by Prof. Basil Vendryes, students engage in intensive private lessons, chamber music, performance class, large ensembles, and masterclasses with renowned guest artists. In Lamont’s viola studio, students celebrate each other’s successes and push one another to reach new artistic heights.
Audition Requirements
8-12 viola students at Lamont
Over 5 ensembles to participate in each quarter
300+ performance opportunities per year
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
Life After Lamont
Notable Viola Alumni
Lamont students have worked with some of the most prestigious music organizations in the world. Alumni have performed with the Metropolitan Opera, Philadelphia Orchestra, Wolf Trap, Vancouver Symphony, Broadway, the West End, and San Francisco Opera. Lamont composers have premiered works at Carnegie Hall and the Monterey Jazz Festival, and conductors have led orchestras from Brazil to Hungary. Graduates of our Musicology and music theory programs hold posts at prestigious institutions nationwide. And our recording and production students have launched careers in Hollywood, editing soundtracks for films like Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Anne Ainomäe - AD 2015
Founding member of award-winning Prezioso String Quartet
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Andrew Grishaw - BM 2016
Assistant Professor, Saint John’s University
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Caroline McCaskey - MM 2014
National Scottish Fiddle Champion and author of AltStrings Fiddle Method
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String quartet performing at the annual Lamont Honors Concert.
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Basil Vendryes.
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Lamont violists perform with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra.
