Outreach

Dr. Benjamin Whitcomb, while best known for his cello performances and publications, is also committed to enhancing and enriching the profession of music as much as possible, which he does through a wide variety of outreach activities designed to inspire and assist the next generation of cellists and musicians.

On-Campus Offerings

Throughout the year, there are a variety of clinics, festivals, and camps held at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

Honors Orchestra

Students recommended by their orchestra director participate in a two-day festival in early February.

Orchestra Festivals

High school or middle school orchestras come for a day of clinicking and technique classes. Usually held in the fall, but we can create such an event anytime for your group, calendar permitting.

Recitals

UW-W String Faculty and equally renowned guest artists perform many times each year in the acoustically beautiful Light Recital Hall.

Instrument Days

Available for all instruments. The annual Cello Day usually occurs in the spring and has a rotating theme.

String Academy

UW-W music education or pedagogy students teach individual and group lessons through this wonderful institution.

Summer String Camp

Large numbers of string players throughout the Great Lakes region come to campus for a week of intensive fun and learning. For grades 6-12, this camp takes place in late June.

Music Major for a Day

High school students come to campus to learn about the curriculum, facilities, performance opportunities, and other offerings at UW-W. Current music majors interact with them to help them envision what life is like as a music major within our prestigious Music Department.

Audition Clinic

Usually held in April, this valuable event teaches high school students how better to succeed at auditions and music competitions.

Off- Campus Offerings

Dr. Whitcomb is happy to visit orchestras at their schools as well. He has made over 600 such visits, most of which have been in the Great Lakes region but many of which have been across the United States and overseas as well.

Clinic

Dr. Whitcomb enjoys working with orchestras to give them some new ideas and to help them reach ever higher levels as an ensemble.

Perform & Inform

Students can be highly inspired and motivated by hearing high-level string playing up close and personal. Dr. Whitcomb’s solo cello repertoire consists of eight hours’ worth of music, and in his commentary he is able to connect any of these to the musical priorities of the orchestra director.

Presentation

If there is an aspect of string playing with which the whole orchestra could use help, Whitcomb is happy to talk about it while also providing exercises and specific advice for improvement.

Masterclass

A masterclass is like an open lesson, in which one student at a time performs a solo for Dr. Whitcomb after which he works with them to further improve their playing.