Study Cello at Central Michigan University 

 Are you looking for a great place to study cello for undergraduate or graduate studies, receive lots of one on one attention, and develop as a musician and educator? Or perhaps you are a graduate student looking to study cello in the United States. I highly recommend considering the School of Music at Central Michigan University. 

We currently offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in Music Performance and Music Education. We combine a state of the art facility, one of the finest student recital halls in which you will ever have the opportunity to perform, and a unique combination of the benefits of a large program with the benefits of the attention you would receive at a smaller school.

Guest Artists

Through well endowed concert series and a long time relationship with the Midland Symphony, the School of music regularly hosts concerts and masterclasses of artists of international stature. 

Cellist David Finckel (photo to right with CMU students) and pianist Wu Han recently performed in the Staples Family Concert Hall at CMU and gave masterclasses for our students.

Scholarships and Assistantships

CMU has generous merit scholarships available for students with a good academic record. Graduate assistantships are also available for graduate students that pay for full tuition plus a stipend for living expenses (see below). For more information on undergrad scholarships see the CMU Scholarship Page on the CMU website. 

Highlighted Undergraduate Scholarships


In-State Tuition for All:   All U.S. residents pay in-state tuition at CMU.


CMU Tuition Advantage:  Newly admitted students may be eligible to attend CMU tuition-free.  


Centralis Scholarships: The Centralis Scholarship is a HUGE reward for incoming freshmen.  You must have a 3.7 GPA to compete. The deadline to register is November 2, 2026.  If you meet the minimum GPA, it's well worth competing for this as they give out seventy five Centralis awards every year.


We also have the Centralis Transfer Scholarship .  For the Centralis Transfer Scholarship you must have a 3.4 GPA.  The deadline to register is  March 1, 2026.  This award pays for $5000 per semester plus a $5000 reward for study abroad


Graduate Assistantships


We also offer generous graduate assistantships that cover tuition plus a stipend for living expenses. Those awarded with a string GA play in the graduate string quartet as part of their responsibilities. 


Please contact me for more information.



Audition Dates and Information

Please register online for an audition (undergrad and grad). 


Here is the CMU School of Music audition page.


Audition Dates

Friday, January 15, 2027

Friday, February 12, 2027

Saturday, February 13, 2027 (online only)

Friday, March 19, 2027


Cello Audition Requirements

Undergraduate

 

  • Scales: Major and minor, 3 octaves, up to 4 sharps and 4 flats.
  • Repertoire: Two contrasting pieces or movements that best showcase the applicant's technical and musical abilities.

 

Graduate

 

  • A first or last movement of a solo concerto.
  • Two contrasting movements from the Bach unaccompanied suites.
  • A movement, piece, or etude of the candidate's choice that is neither a Bach Suite nor a Concerto.

 

Undergraduate audition requirements for other strings.

Graduate audition requirements for other strings.


More Information

Dr. Jamie Fiste (cello):  fiste1ja@cmich.edu .

Dr. Matheus Souza (violin): sardi1m@cmich.edu

Dr. Alicia Valoti (viola): valot1am@cmich.edu

Mr. Ed Fedewa (bass): edfedewabass@yahoo.com


Questions about audition scheduling? Please call the School of Music office at 989-774-1945

Music degrees

Bachelor of Music: Students pursuing this degree with an instrumental focus are often referred to as “performance majors.” This program is ideal for those dedicated to honing their performance skills.

Bachelor of Music Education: Designed for individuals aspiring to teach K-12 music in public or private schools, CMU offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Music Education degree.

Bachelor of Arts/Science in Music: For those seeking a liberal arts education in music, the BA or BS degrees are excellent choices. These programs are also well-suited for double majors due to their fewer music-specific requirements. A BS in music is particularly beneficial for students interested in STEM fields, such as premed, as many required science courses overlap with premed requirements. Conversely, the BA is a great fit for those pursuing a degree in the humanities.

Master of Music in Performance:  The Master of Music (MM) in Performance is designed for individuals aspiring to careers as professional performers or as applied teachers in higher education. Many graduates of this program continue their studies by pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in performance.