Applied Cello (B. M. in Cello Performance)
The Cello Studio of Dr. Hekun Wu, Willamette University
(The requirements may be modified accordingly for those who are enrolled in B.A. in Music, B.M. in Education, minors, and non-majors.)
Entrance Audition Requirements
(playing from memory is required):
- One 3-octave major scale (bowings: up to 1-oct. per bow); arpeggios, third, and sixth.
- One etude from Duport 21 Etudes, or Grützmacher 24 Etudes (Books I & II, Op.38)
- One Prelude from the Bach Solo Suite I, II, or III
- Movement(s) from one of the following concerti:
- Goltermann Concerto No. 4 in G major - Allegro and Andantino
- Saint-Saëns Concerto No, 1 in A minor, Op. 33 Allegro non troppo and Allegretto con moto
- Haydn Concerto in C major, 1st movement with cadenza
Requirements for the First-Year & Second-Year:
Goals: To establish a solid foundation of cello technique and to develop musicianship. By the end of the second year, the student should play with good intonation, natural tone production, have developed an articulate left-hand, and possess an expressive vibrato.
Suggested Studies and Repertoire:
- 4 -octave major and minor scales, arpeggios, double-stops
- Etudes: Duport 21 Etudes, Grützmacher Etudes Books I & II, Op. 38
- "Student" Concerti: Romberg No. 2, Davidov No. 4
- Bach Solo Suites: I, II, and III
- Sonatas: Boccherini, Vivaldi, Locatelli, Francoeur (in E major); Beethoven: 12 Variations on a Theme of Handel, 7 and 12 Variations on the Themes of Mozart; Sonatas, Op. 5 in F major and G minor Brahms: Sonata in E minor
- Concerti: Saint-Saëns in A minor, Lalo in D minor, Boccherini in B-flat major, Haydn in C major
- Chamber Music: One of the Beethoven Piano Trios (e.g., Op. 1 nos. 1, 2 or 3) or the String Quartets (e.g., Op. 18)
- Orchestral Excerpts: Beethoven Symphonies (e.g., 5th, 8th and 9th); Brahms Symphonies (e.g., the 2nd and 3rd)
Proficiency Exams:
For those who wish to be a Music Performance major (B.M.), a qualifying recital is required which should be given by before end of the sophomore year.
For those who wish to major in music (B.A. in Music or B.M. in Education), one is required to pass the four (4) proficiency exams to formally declare music as their major. These proficiencies can be scheduled throughout the first 4 semesters, but must be completed by the end of the sophomore year. One is required to perform a work from each of the four periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary.
For detailed information regarding the degree programs, please refer to the Music Student Handbook.
~ All of the following should be played from memory except for the Beethoven Sonatas. ~ The Committee may decide which movement(s) the student will perform from the multi-movement works.
Jury for the First-Year Student (B.M. and B.A. music majors):
- One movement from an Italian Sonata;
- One of the Bach Solo Suites to be selected from Suites I, II, and III
- One of the concerti
Jury for the Second-Year Student (B.M. and B.A. music majors):
- One of the Beethoven Sonatas
- One of the Bach Solo Suites
- One of the concerti
- A contemporary work
Requirements for the Third & Fourth Years:
Goals: To reinforce the standard cello repertoire and chamber music/orchestral literature. Fundamentals of cello technique, such as scales and études, continue to be an integral part of weekly assignments. An advanced understanding of music from different eras and the ability to convey these stylistic differences through performance are expected.
Suggested Studies and Repertoire:
- 4-octave major and minor scales, arpeggios, double-stops
- Etudes: A. Piatti 12 Caprices, Op. 25; D. Popper 40 Etudes, Op. 73
- Bach Solo Suites: IV, V, and VI.
- Sonatas: Bach Gamba Sonatas; Boccherini Sonatas; Debussy, Schubert, "Arpeggione,"; Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Chopin, Fauré, R. Strauss, Britten Beethoven: Sonatas Nos. 3, 4, and 5 Brahms: Sonata in F major Hindemith Solo Sonata, Britten Solo Suites, Kodaly Capriccio and Solo Sonata, Legeti Solo Sonata
- Concerti: Haydn D major (original edition-Schott), Dvorák, Schumann, Elgar, Shostakovich, Prokofiev
- Concert Pieces: Popper, Paganini, Fauré, Dvorak, Stravinsky, Schumann
- Chamber Music: Piano Trios by Beethoven, Brahms, Ravel, Shostakovich, and Piano Quartets by Brahms and Schumann; and String Quartets
- Orchestral Excerpts: From major symphonic works including R. Strauss' Tone Poems
Solo Recital Requirements for the Junior Year and Senior Year
(for performance majors only)
- One of the Bach Solo Suites to be chosen from IV, V, and VI (complete and from memory) in one of the recitals.
- One of the major works from the chamber music literature (e.g., a Beethoven, Brahms, Ravel, or Shostakovich Piano Trio, or a String Quartet, or a Piano Quartet) in one of the recitals.
- One major work such as a sonata for cello and piano from Romantic period.
- A selected contemporary work chosen by the instructor and student.