2024-2025 Season // NEC :: A Far Cry Collaborative Competition 

Each season current undergraduate and graduate string students attending New England Conservatory are invited to audition for A Far Cry’s annual collaboration with the conservatory.  As guest Criers this season, selected students will join the ensemble in the rehearsal process and in performance.

Congratulations to this year’s competition winners:

David Carreon, violin & Jiyoung Lee, cello will join the Criers on George Enescu’s Octet for Strings in C major, Op.7 (arranged for string orchestra by Crier Rafael Popper-Keizer) on our November 8th, 2024 concert Last Dance.

Additionally Yeh-Chun Lin, viola, Sachin Shukla, viola, and Jonah Kernis, cello will join the Criers in performing Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 (arranged for String Sextet by Michael Gotthard Fischer; adapted for String Orchestra by Crier Michael Unterman) on our January 31st, 2025 concert, Daybreak.

Overview | Background | People | Application

OVERVIEW

A Far Cry has shared a longstanding partnership with the New England Conservatory and Preparatory Division. This Competition offers the opportunity for talented performers - from both divisions- to rehearse and perform with the ensemble. Additionally, all students and members of the NEC community are invited to attend open rehearsals & talks with artists and composers, and are offered free and discounted tickets to A Far Cry concerts across the season.

BACKGROUND

A Far Cry began in 2007 as a group of friends, inspired by their experience in Donald Palma’s Chamber Orchestra Class at NEC, who wanted to make music together. They formed a conductor-less, musician-led ensemble where leadership rotated within sections, and everyone contributed to the artistic direction. In 2008, A Far Cry became a nonprofit, and since then, they’ve celebrated 16 seasons of collaborative music-making.

A Far Cry is now a mainstay of Boston’s classical scene, with a national presence, Grammy nominations, and over 40 commissioned works. Their unique model values every voice, fostering creativity and collaboration. They’ve built lasting partnerships with institutions like NEC, Longy, and Project STEP, and remain committed to creating a welcoming, dynamic environment for musicians.

For many Criers, A Far Cry was a key part of launching their careers, offering both creative opportunities and a supportive community. Now, they want to inspire the next generation of musicians—showing what’s possible when you blend passion, innovation, and teamwork.

PEOPLE

The Criers :: As a talent incubator, AFC boasts an impressive roster of member musicians from the early years to today, and has engaged hundreds of freelancers and collaborative artists from around the globe as guest musicians for concerts and events. The personnel listed below is a small sampling of current and former Criers who are NEC graduates and/or affiliates.

(+ indicates founding member of A Far Cry)

Former Members Current Members
Robyn Bollinger Lizzie Burns
Sharon Cohen+ Miki-Sophia Cloud
Jennifer Curtis Sarah Darling
Blaise Dejardin+ Celia Hatton
Karl Doty+ Zenas Hsu
Tom Van Dyck+ Jesse Irons+
Loewi Lin+ Jae Cosmos Lee+
David McCarroll+ Francesca McNeeley
Karen Ouzonian Rafael Popper-Keizer
Frank Shaw+ Annie Rabbat
Ashley Vandiver+ Megumi Stohs+
Courtenay Vandiver+ Michael Unterman

Next Generation :: Since 2013 (at least formally on record), A Far Cry has invited up to five NEC students (Conservatory and Prep) to join its roster in concerts annually as Fellows and as winners of the Collaborative Competition. Past student participants include:

2023-2024

Felicitas Schiffner
Maureen Sheehan
Nathan Emans
Annie Seeun Hyung

2021-2022 Season

Arun Asthagiri 
Noah Berz
Yebin Yoo
Amir Ali

2018-2019 Season

Lev Mamuya
Sophia Szokolay
Katherine Feng
Julide San

2016-2017 Season

Alyssa Wang
Eunghee Cho
Grace Kim
Reina Murooka
Charlotte Malin

2014-2015 Season

Sarah Peters
Dana Kelley

The application period has ended. Please check back in the future.

Eligibility 

• Applicants must be currently enrolled as a conservatory student at NEC. 

• Applicants must play violin, viola, and/or cello.

• Applicants must be available to perform with A Far Cry on the concert at Jordan Hall. 

• Applicants must be available during specific rehearsal times for the designated repertoire for their instrument as allocated from A Far Cry’s full rehearsal schedule, TBD (typically running 10:30am-5pm, Tuesday through Thursday the week of, with a dress rehearsal 3pm-6pm on Friday prior to the concert; the rehearsal schedule for designated repertoire will be consolidated as much as possible within those parameters with the exception of the dress rehearsal).

Application & Audition Information 

General Information

• Applicants must submit an online application with a video audition submission (NOTE: there will not be a live audition option).

• Applicants should prepare two contrasting pieces. Individual movements from contrasting pieces are welcomed. Piano accompaniment is not required.

• Applicants should prepare a brief (<2min) video introducing themselves and their interests (musical or otherwise!). 

• Artistic CV or Resume 

• Availability for Spring 2025 A Far Cry Artistic Planning meetings (or, “Crier Meetings”) with the Artistic Directorship (additional details to follow)

Application Link and Deadline to Apply

• Please complete the online application with your personal information, confirmation of eligibility, and links to your video audition

• Applications are due October 11, 2024.

Prize Information 

• Winners will be notified within two weeks of the application deadline. Music will be provided to the winners upon notification.

• Compensation: All winners will receive professional wages according to 2024-2025 A Far Cry wage rates for contracted services [Rehearsal Fee: $55/hr, Performance Fee: $230 each]

• Invitation to Spring 2025 Crier Meetings to engage in artistic planning discussions with the A Far Cry Artistic Directorship.

• Welcome lunch/dinner during the rehearsal set, and a coffee date with a Crier(s) during the season.

Please feel free to contact us at info@afarcry.org with any questions. We can’t wait to hear you!