Central Cello Celebration 2026
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Full info on website:
https://www.cwu.edu/academics/music/festivals-events/central-cello-celebration.php
The Central Cello Celebration is a biennial summit of Northwest cellists who wish to revel in the rich cello repertoire and collaborate in a massive cello choir performance. Open to cellists of all ages! High-school and collegiate players will additionally be able to perform in recitals, workshops and masterclasses. Rehearsals of the cello choirs begin the evening of Friday October 23rd, and the Celebration culminates with the performance in the Finale Concert on the evening of the 24th. Recital and group lesson performance opportunities are open to all ages with teacher recommendation, with priority given to high school students for performances in the main masterclasses. All participants are encouraged to attend all sessions.
Photo of a stage full of cellists in a semi circle with Professor John Michel in the center.
This year, we celebrate the idea of Heroes through the premiere of Tom Walworth’s Marvel from A to X, performances of heroic themes from across the cello literature, and recognition of the quieter heroes in our lives, especially our teachers and parents. We also look forward to learning from distinguished cello pedagogues, including featured artist and clinician Dr. Minna Rose Chung, and to honoring one of the Northwest’s own living heroes, to be announced.
All participants must complete the standard Online Registration Form. Registration cost is $95 for early bird registration and payment by September 30th, 2026, and $120 for regular registration and payment by October 17th, 2026.
Early Payment Discount
Regular Payment
Participation / Eligibility
Participants will rehearse and then perform in either the Celebration Cello Choir (high school/college level) or Debut Cello Choir (intermediate level of 2y+ experience) in the Finale Central Cello Celebration Concert. For the final premiere work, all cellists will perform together. All participants are encouraged to attend all sessions: masterclasses, discussions, rehearsals and concerts.
Students ages 4-23 are eligible to participate as a performer in the master class sessions and recitals with teacher recommendation.
Pianist Accompaniment
If you are performing and your piece requires accompaniment, you are responsible to acquire your own accompanist or request one of our contracted collaborative pianists listed below.
Faculty & Staff
Guest Performers and Clinicians
Minna Rose Chung, Professor of Cello, University of Manitoba
Bruce Walker, Professor, Columbia Basin College
Tom Walworth, CCC Resident Composer; Orchestra Director, Thomas Jefferson H.S.
Kara Hunnicutt, Former Principal Cellist, Yakima Symphony; Former Orchestra Director,
Ellensburg Schools
Bret Smith, Professor of Music Education, Central Washington University
John Michel, Professor of Cello, Central Washington University
Conductors
Celebration Cello Choir: Nikolas Caoile, CWU Director of Orchestras
Debut Cello Choir: Bruce Walker, Columbia Basin College
Official Pianists
TBD Professor of Collaborative Piano, Central Washington University
Barbara Balatero, Cellist/Pianist, Seattle
Coordinator
Rebecca Bolton, CWU Music Education Major, ([email protected])
Co-Directors
John Michel, Professor of Cello, Central Washington University
Michael King, Freelance Cellist; Department Head, Suzuki Institute of Seattle
Kevin Leiferman, Freelance Cellist; Suzuki Institute of Seattle
The recitals and final concert will be live-streamed via our MusicDept YouTube channel.
CCC Sheet Music
Link Will be available here at a later date
Friday, October 23rd
4:00pm - 6:45pm ~ Registration/Check-In Lobby
5:00pm ~ Minna Chung - CelloMind and Fun in Thumb Position Recital Hall
7:00-7:50pm ~ Cello Celebration Recital Recital Hall
8:05 pm ~ All Participants Reception (meet and greet) room TBD
8:30 pm ~ Combined Cello Choir Rehearsal Concert Hall
9:15 pm ~ Debut Choir Rehearsal Room #150
Saturday, October 24th
8:00am ~ Registration/Check-In Lobby
8:30am
~ Suzuki Play-Down Rehearsal (8:30-9:20am) Room #113
~ Debut Choir Rehearsal (8:30-9:50am) Room #150
~ Festival Cello Choir Sectionals (8:30-9:05am)
Part 1 Room #117
Part 2 Room #153
Part 3 Recital Hall
Part 4 Concert Hall
9:15am ~ Festival Cello Choir Rehearsal Concert Hall
10:00am ~Combined Debut and Festival Choir Rehearsal Concert Hall
11:00am ~ Master Class with Minna Rose Chung Recital Hall
12:00pm-5:30pm ~ View Sponsor Exhibits Lobby
12:00pm ~ Lunch (optional) Student Union Building
1:00-1:50pm ~ (optional) Small Group Open Lesson (2-4 players per room)
John Michel Recital Hall
Minna Rose Chung Room #150
Bruce Walker Room #153
Michael King Room #113
Kevin Leiferman Room #117
Barbara Balatero Room #120
2:00pm ~ Cello Celebration Recital including Play-Down Recital Hall
3:00-4:30pm ~ Combined Cello Choir Rehearsal Concert Hall
4:30pm ~ Free Time / Non-hosted Dinner (optional) El Caporal Restaurant
5:30pm ~ Cello Choir Call Room #153
6:00pm ~ Cello Celebration Finale Concert Concert Hall
7:05 pm ~ Farewells Rotunda
(possible breakout hangs)
—--------
Special thanks to the CWU Music Department and our Sponsors:
Henry Bischofberger Violins
Hammond Ashley Violins
Applebaum Violin Shop
Starkie Lutherie
R.L. Ray Violin Shop
Ricardo Perez Luthier
https://www.cwu.edu/academics/music/festivals-events/central-cello-celebration.php
The Central Cello Celebration is a biennial summit of Northwest cellists who wish to revel in the rich cello repertoire and collaborate in a massive cello choir performance. Open to cellists of all ages! High-school and collegiate players will additionally be able to perform in recitals, workshops and masterclasses. Rehearsals of the cello choirs begin the evening of Friday October 23rd, and the Celebration culminates with the performance in the Finale Concert on the evening of the 24th. Recital and group lesson performance opportunities are open to all ages with teacher recommendation, with priority given to high school students for performances in the main masterclasses. All participants are encouraged to attend all sessions.
Photo of a stage full of cellists in a semi circle with Professor John Michel in the center.
This year, we celebrate the idea of Heroes through the premiere of Tom Walworth’s Marvel from A to X, performances of heroic themes from across the cello literature, and recognition of the quieter heroes in our lives, especially our teachers and parents. We also look forward to learning from distinguished cello pedagogues, including featured artist and clinician Dr. Minna Rose Chung, and to honoring one of the Northwest’s own living heroes, to be announced.
All participants must complete the standard Online Registration Form. Registration cost is $95 for early bird registration and payment by September 30th, 2026, and $120 for regular registration and payment by October 17th, 2026.
Early Payment Discount
Regular Payment
Participation / Eligibility
Participants will rehearse and then perform in either the Celebration Cello Choir (high school/college level) or Debut Cello Choir (intermediate level of 2y+ experience) in the Finale Central Cello Celebration Concert. For the final premiere work, all cellists will perform together. All participants are encouraged to attend all sessions: masterclasses, discussions, rehearsals and concerts.
Students ages 4-23 are eligible to participate as a performer in the master class sessions and recitals with teacher recommendation.
Pianist Accompaniment
If you are performing and your piece requires accompaniment, you are responsible to acquire your own accompanist or request one of our contracted collaborative pianists listed below.
Faculty & Staff
Guest Performers and Clinicians
Minna Rose Chung, Professor of Cello, University of Manitoba
Bruce Walker, Professor, Columbia Basin College
Tom Walworth, CCC Resident Composer; Orchestra Director, Thomas Jefferson H.S.
Kara Hunnicutt, Former Principal Cellist, Yakima Symphony; Former Orchestra Director,
Ellensburg Schools
Bret Smith, Professor of Music Education, Central Washington University
John Michel, Professor of Cello, Central Washington University
Conductors
Celebration Cello Choir: Nikolas Caoile, CWU Director of Orchestras
Debut Cello Choir: Bruce Walker, Columbia Basin College
Official Pianists
TBD Professor of Collaborative Piano, Central Washington University
Barbara Balatero, Cellist/Pianist, Seattle
Coordinator
Rebecca Bolton, CWU Music Education Major, ([email protected])
Co-Directors
John Michel, Professor of Cello, Central Washington University
Michael King, Freelance Cellist; Department Head, Suzuki Institute of Seattle
Kevin Leiferman, Freelance Cellist; Suzuki Institute of Seattle
The recitals and final concert will be live-streamed via our MusicDept YouTube channel.
CCC Sheet Music
Link Will be available here at a later date
Friday, October 23rd
4:00pm - 6:45pm ~ Registration/Check-In Lobby
5:00pm ~ Minna Chung - CelloMind and Fun in Thumb Position Recital Hall
7:00-7:50pm ~ Cello Celebration Recital Recital Hall
8:05 pm ~ All Participants Reception (meet and greet) room TBD
8:30 pm ~ Combined Cello Choir Rehearsal Concert Hall
9:15 pm ~ Debut Choir Rehearsal Room #150
Saturday, October 24th
8:00am ~ Registration/Check-In Lobby
8:30am
~ Suzuki Play-Down Rehearsal (8:30-9:20am) Room #113
~ Debut Choir Rehearsal (8:30-9:50am) Room #150
~ Festival Cello Choir Sectionals (8:30-9:05am)
Part 1 Room #117
Part 2 Room #153
Part 3 Recital Hall
Part 4 Concert Hall
9:15am ~ Festival Cello Choir Rehearsal Concert Hall
10:00am ~Combined Debut and Festival Choir Rehearsal Concert Hall
11:00am ~ Master Class with Minna Rose Chung Recital Hall
12:00pm-5:30pm ~ View Sponsor Exhibits Lobby
12:00pm ~ Lunch (optional) Student Union Building
1:00-1:50pm ~ (optional) Small Group Open Lesson (2-4 players per room)
John Michel Recital Hall
Minna Rose Chung Room #150
Bruce Walker Room #153
Michael King Room #113
Kevin Leiferman Room #117
Barbara Balatero Room #120
2:00pm ~ Cello Celebration Recital including Play-Down Recital Hall
3:00-4:30pm ~ Combined Cello Choir Rehearsal Concert Hall
4:30pm ~ Free Time / Non-hosted Dinner (optional) El Caporal Restaurant
5:30pm ~ Cello Choir Call Room #153
6:00pm ~ Cello Celebration Finale Concert Concert Hall
7:05 pm ~ Farewells Rotunda
(possible breakout hangs)
—--------
Special thanks to the CWU Music Department and our Sponsors:
Henry Bischofberger Violins
Hammond Ashley Violins
Applebaum Violin Shop
Starkie Lutherie
R.L. Ray Violin Shop
Ricardo Perez Luthier
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Where is it happening?
CWU Music Department, 942 E Dean Nicholson Blvd, Ellensburg, WA 98926-2607, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherCentral Cello Celebration
