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Aspen Contemporary Ensemble Back To Programs of Study /...

Timothy Weiss, conductor
Donald Crockett, conductor

The Aspen Contemporary Ensemble (ACE) is in residence for the full eight-week session. This octet functions as the ensemble in collaboration with the Susan and Ford Schumann Center for Composition Studies and performs music by prominent living composers and twentieth-century classics as well as new works by the Festival’s student composers. Instrumentation is as follows: flute/piccolo/alto flute, clarinet/e-flat clarinet/bass clarinet, violin (2), viola, cello, piano, and percussion. Members of this ensemble receive weekly private lessons with artist-faculty members and may also take elective courses. All student members receive a fellowship.

The program is rigorous and, thus, members of the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble are expected to stay focused on their core curriculum and not engage in extracurricular activities, such as concerto competitions.

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICATION OPEN SEPTEMBER 15

Applicants who are interested in applying on their respective instrument for the Orchestra program must submit a second application and the applicable fee at the time of submission.

Resume required
Statement of interest in contemporary music required
Two letters of recommendation encouraged but not required

AUDITION REPERTOIRE

There are currently no available positions. If positions become available, they will be posted and updated here October 1. Interested candidates may still apply for a filled position, in case of cancellation.

Works to be performed solo (no duos, ensembles, accompaniment).

VIOLIN

I. Required standard repertory

One of the following sonatas:

BACH: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001, Adagio
BACH: Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003, Grave
BACH: Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005, Adagio

AND

II. Required contemporary repertory

Two of the pieces listed below:

CARTER: Riconoscenza per Goffredo Petrassi [4']
ZIMMERMANN: Sonata for Unaccompanied Violin [13']
HENZE: Sonata for Unaccompanied Violin [18']
BERIO: Sequenza VIII
BENJAMIN: 3 Miniatures
BOULEZ: Antheme

VIOLA

I. BACH: Two movements of a Suite for Cello or of a Sonata or Partita for Violin

AND

II. Two of the pieces listed below:

PENDERECKI: Cadenza for Solo Viola [7’]
LIGETI: Sonata for Viola Solo, any movement of the candidate's choice
BERIO: Sequenza VI
SCOTT SLAPIN: Recitative for Solo Viola

CELLO

I. Two contrasting movement from any of the six J.S. Bach Suites for Cello

AND

II. One or more movements from one of the following works:

CRUMB: Sonata for Unaccompanied Cello [12']
HINDEMITH: Solo Sonata
HENZE: Serenade for Solo Cello

AND

III. One of the following of the candidate’s choice:

CARTER: Figment I
BERIO: Sequenza
DUTILLEUX: Strophe I from Trois Strophes
PENDERECKI: Capriccio (mvts. I and II)

FLUTE

I. Two contrasting movements from the following selections without repeats:

J.S. Bach Partita for Solo Flute in A minor, BWV 1013
C.P.E. Bach Sonata for Solo Flute in A minor, H. 562

AND

II. One of the following:

VARÈSE: Density 21.5 [4']
JOLIVET: Five Incantations (Choose one from 1, 2, 4 or 5)

AND

III. One of the following:

BERIO: Sequenza I for Flute [6']
TAKEMITSU: Voice
CARTER: Scrivo in vento
HALFFTER: Debla
DONATONI: Nidi

AND

IV. Piccolo:

SCHOENBERG: Pierrot lunaire, Op. 21, No. 18: Der Mondfleck

AND

V. Alto Flute:

BOULEZ: Le Marteau sans maître III L’artisanat furieux (can be found in The Alto Flute Practice Book by Trevor Wye & Patricia Morris)

CLARINET

I. Both of the below works:

MOZART: Concerto for Clarinet in A major, K. 622 1st movement with piano
STRAVINSKY: Three Pieces for Clarinet [6']

AND

II. One of the following works:

JOAN TOWER: Wings [9']
BOULEZ: Domaines
DENISOV: Sonata 1st and 2nd movement
CARTER: Gra
DONATONI: Clair

AND

III. Bass Clarinet
Two from the following excerpts:

RAVEL: Daphnis et Chloé full score of rehearsal number 156 to 161
STRAVINSKY: Le Sacre Du Printemps: Introduction Rehearsal 4-6 and Rehearsal 139-142
STRAUSS: Don Quixote Rehearsal 14-19
SHOSTAKOVICH: Concerto No. 1 in A minor for Violin and Orchestra op. 77 Rehearsal 23-25

PERCUSSION

I. XENAKIS: Rebonds B [6']

AND

II. Marimba
One selection from the following:

DRUCKMAN: Reflections on the Nature of Water [15'] (marimba)
DONATONI: Mari (marimba)

AND

III. Vibraphone
One selection from the following:

MANOURY: Le livre des claviers, Mvt 4 – solo vibraphone
DONATONI: Omar, 1st or 2nd movement
HUREL: Loops II for Vibraphone

PIANO

I. 1st movement of one of the following sonatas: Beethoven: Op. 7, Op. 10 (No. 3), Op. 22, 31 (No. 1), Op. 53, Op. 57, Op. 81a, Op. 106, Op. 111

AND