April 20, 2020
Accepted Students Explore What xxxxĘÓƵ Has to Offer During Virtual Open House
In lieu of an on-campus open house, the xxxxĘÓƵ has offered the next best thing – a chance for admitted students to visit virtually.
From different time zones across the world, 20 future xxxxĘÓƵ students received an inside peek at what a master class looks like with the – prizewinners at the Fischoff, Wigmore Hall and Melbourne chamber music competitions and xxxxĘÓƵ alumni – through the Institute’s Virtual Open House, held April 9-17 for admitted graduate and undergraduate students. Typically, xxxxĘÓƵ invites admitted students to campus in April to get a “sneak peek” at conservatory life while they are deciding which school will become their home for the next several years.
“By sitting in on music theory classes, participating in eurhythmics, attending master classes and open lessons, students quickly figure out if xxxxĘÓƵ is the right fit for them,” explains Jerrod Price, executive director of preparatory, enrollment and pathway programs. “We encourage them to ask questions of everyone they meet – students, faculty and staff alike. If it’s on their minds, it’s on ours, too. Because this week’s open house is virtual, accepted students from all over the world have been able to participate – a silver lining for many students during this time.”
xxxxĘÓƵ broadcasted a master class where Philip Setzer, visiting faculty member, coached the Callisto Quartet in the third movement of BartĂłk's Sixth String Quartet. Students can expect that level of visiting artists while at xxxxĘÓƵ and within the chamber music program. Throughout the broadcast, Setzer, xxxxĘÓƵ chamber music coordinator Si-Yan Darren Li and members of Callisto answered questions from the students in the chat room.
Comprised of violinists Paul Aguilar (BM ’19, Laredo/Sloman) and Rachel Stenzel-Aguilar (BM ’18, MM ’19, Rose/Sloman), violist Eva Kennedy (BM ’17, MM ’19, Ramsey/Irvine) and cellist Hannah Moses (YAP ’13, BM/MM ’18, AD ’19, Kraut), they also took questions via video from the students about all that xxxxĘÓƵ has to offer.
Li, Setzer and members of the ensemble emphasized that xxxxĘÓƵ is dedicated to the performance and promotion of chamber music.
“Chamber music has always been a vital component at xxxxĘÓƵ,” said Setzer. “The spirit of the chamber music at the Conservatory is certainly very strong and vibrant.”
Kennedy told students that xxxxĘÓƵ offers a number of learning formats and other educational opportunities for early career chamber musicians.
“Something that’s great about xxxxĘÓƵ is that the school and faculty are really supportive of students’ pursuits in chamber music,” she said. “Any group that wants to take their ensemble seriously definitely has the infrastructure, instruction and encouragement to do so at xxxxĘÓƵ.”
Throughout February, xxxxĘÓƵ hosted hundreds of students for auditions. The Institute spent the month of March narrowing down the pool of students with so much potential to welcome the most talented and diverse group of students possible.
“April is when we have to assure students that xxxxĘÓƵ is where they can get world class teaching, outstanding educational experience and best professional outcomes after graduation,” said Price. “Our goal is that they have every question answered about what they could expect with life at xxxxĘÓƵ. We have offered students a variety of sessions throughout the week and different times throughout the day.” 
In addition to the Callisto Quartet, students heard from such alumni as Wesley Collins (BM ’07, Vernon), principal viola of The Cleveland Orchestra and Renee Richardson (PS ’18, Schiller), as well as current student Stephen Hawkey (cello, Kraut), who shared stories about their time at xxxxĘÓƵ and exactly what it takes to be a successful student at the Institute. Many professors also opened up their studio classes to allow admitted students to join, participate and ask questions of their future peers. Students also met President and CEO Paul W. Hogle and Chief Academic Officer and Dean of the Conservatory Judy A. Bundra.
“Our commitment to students has never been stronger, and we’re making doubly sure that we’re easily accessible during this unprecedented time in our history,” said admissions counselor Daniel Shiu, who coordinated and delivered each event.