Master’s Programme in Cello

String Instruments Department, Music and Dance Faculty, Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (HAMU)

Overview

The Master’s Programme in Cello at HAMU is a two-year, full-time course designed for advanced cellists seeking to refine technical mastery, interpretative depth, and professional readiness. The programme emphasizes high-level performance skills, artistic individuality, and career preparation in solo, chamber, orchestral, and interdisciplinary contexts. Students engage with a broad repertoire spanning Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and contemporary works, while also exploring experimental and collaborative projects. Through intensive individual tuition, public performances, masterclasses, and professional practice, graduates are prepared to excel as internationally competitive cellists, educators, and collaborative artists.

Programme Goals

The programme aims to cultivate highly skilled, versatile, and professionally prepared cellists. Key objectives include:

• Advanced technical mastery: Developing bowing, fingering, articulation, vibrato, and expressive phrasing suitable for diverse repertoire.

• Artistic individuality: Encouraging students to develop a personal interpretative style and stage presence.

• Professional versatility: Preparing students to perform in solo, chamber, orchestral, and interdisciplinary contexts.

• Reflective and analytical skills: Enabling critical engagement with repertoire, historical context, and performance practice.

• Career readiness: Equipping students with concert programming, project management, and professional communication skills.

• Repertoire breadth: Mastery of solo, chamber, and orchestral literature, including Czech and international works across historical and contemporary styles.

Graduates emerge as confident, expressive, and professional cellists with the skills to succeed in demanding musical careers.

Curriculum Structure

The programme spans four semesters, integrating individual instruction, ensemble work, and professional development:

• Individual tuition: Weekly one-on-one lessons tailored to the student’s artistic development and repertoire needs.

• Chamber music and orchestral participation: Training in ensemble leadership, collaboration, and rehearsal techniques.

• Performance practice and repertoire: Students prepare advanced repertoire for public recitals, examinations, and festival performances.

• Masterclasses and workshops: Sessions with leading cellists and visiting artists provide artistic insight and mentorship.

• Professional development: Seminars in career management, concert organisation, pedagogy, performance psychology, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Final recital or portfolio: Students present a major solo or ensemble project demonstrating technical mastery, interpretative depth, and professional maturity.

This curriculum ensures graduates develop technical excellence, artistic individuality, and professional competence.

Graduate Profile

Graduates of the Master’s Programme in Cello demonstrate:

• Technical proficiency: Mastery of advanced techniques, expressive nuance, and stylistic versatility.

• Artistic maturity: Distinctive interpretative insight, musical personality, and stage presence.

• Professional adaptability: Prepared to perform as soloists, chamber musicians, orchestral players, and interdisciplinary collaborators.

• Critical awareness: Ability to analyse repertoire historically and stylistically and refine performance through reflection.

• Career readiness: Competence in project management, concert programming, teaching, and collaborative professional work.

Graduates are equipped to pursue careers at the highest professional level, both nationally and internationally.

Why Choose HAMU?

HAMU provides a unique environment for advanced cello study:

• Specialised instruction: Individual tuition tailored to technical, artistic, and repertoire goals.

• Performance opportunities: Solo recitals, chamber music, orchestral projects, and participation in national and international festivals.

• International exposure: English-language instruction and a multicultural student body foster global networking.

• Masterclasses and mentorship: Engagement with renowned cellists and visiting artists enhances skill and artistic perspective.

• Cultural and musical setting: Prague offers historic concert halls, ensembles, festivals, and a vibrant artistic community.

• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Opportunities to work with departments of composition, theatre, dance, and media.

These factors ensure that students develop artistic, technical, and professional capabilities in an inspiring environment.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate advanced technical skill, musical maturity, and professional potential:

• Bachelor’s degree in cello or equivalent.

• Portfolio submission: Recordings of recent performances showcasing technical ability and interpretative skill.

• Live audition: Performance of advanced repertoire demonstrating readiness for graduate-level study.

• Language proficiency: English for international-taught programmes.

• Selection process: Competitive audition and interview assessing technical mastery, artistic individuality, and professional potential.

Admitted students receive intensive one-on-one instruction and access to extensive performance and professional development resources.

Career Prospects

Graduates are prepared for careers as:

• Soloists: Recitals, recordings, and festival appearances.

• Chamber musicians: Participation in ensembles, quartets, and collaborative projects.

• Orchestral players: Positions in symphony orchestras, opera houses, and contemporary ensembles.

• Educators: Teaching at conservatories, universities, private studios, and workshops.

• Interdisciplinary collaborators: Projects with dance, theatre, film, and media.

• Arts managers and leaders: Programming concerts, organising festivals, and managing artistic projects.

Graduates’ combination of technical mastery, interpretative insight, and professional readiness ensures success in national and international musical careers.

Conclusion

The Master’s Programme in Cello at HAMU provides rigorous technical training, artistic development, and professional preparation. Through individual tuition, ensemble experience, masterclasses, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exposure to Prague’s vibrant musical life, students develop the artistry, versatility, and professional confidence needed to excel as cellists in diverse performance contexts worldwide.