Tucson Cello Congress
January 17, 2026 @ 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Tucson Cello Congress 2026
The Tucson Cello Congress annually unites 100 cellists of all ages and experience levels from across the southwest. This year’s theme centers around the concept of PLAY!: Finding Joy Through Creating Sound. This event is hosted by the University of Arizona and American String Teacher’s Association and features outstanding guest artists, cello ensemble rehearsals, masterclasses, premieres of new works, and a young artist competition. This year’s Cello Congress will feature the award-winning and incredibly inspiring cellist/educator Scott Krijnen. The event will be held at the University of Arizona School of Music on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Registration will close at 8:00 AM on Friday, January 16, 2026.
Featured Guest Artist
Scott Krijnen
Born in Antwerp, Belgium, Scott Krijnen was raised in an environment of music, conducting and education. It is with great joy that he gets to continue to grow in these areas every day in his career and personal life. A recipient of a Master’s Degree in Cello Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he is a frequent performer as a chamber musician, with concerts throughout the Bay Area, as well as Europe, Taiwan and Korea, and as an orchestral player, including as a member of the Silicon Valley Symphony and the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra. Scott has appeared as a soloist with the Spokane Symphony, the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, Silicon Valley Symphony, The Winchester Orchestra and the Coeur d’Alene Symphony.
As a conductor, he is sought after throughout the Bay Area, currently leading the Cambrian Symphony, appearing as a recurring guest conductor with the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, in his 5th year as Orchestra Director of the “Summer in the City” festival at San Jose State University and his 3rd year as Musical Director of San Jose Dance Theatre. As an educator, Scott currently teaches over 550 students through 9 orchestras at Castillero and Redwood Middle Schools, winning teacher of the year recognition in 2011. Mr. Krijnen coaches and has conducted at Saratoga High School, leads sectionals at SJSU, and has coached and presented with PACO for the last decade.
Scott is happily married to his wife of 12 years, Aryn, and is the father of two beautiful children who get to grow up in the same wonderful world of music as their father. In 2015, Krijnen was recognized for his dedication to music, his students, and the greater community with both the Richard Levin Orchestra Educator Award from the California Music Educators Association and the Comcast SportsNet Bay Area All-Star Teacher Award.
Schedule
| 8:30 | Check-in |
| 9:00 | Cello Ensemble Rehearsals |
| 11:00 | Classes Class A: Eurhythmic Play: Games for Motion and Rhythm Class B: Intermediate Technique (led by UA cellist) Class C: Guest Artist Master Class |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 12:30 | Competition Winner Showcase Recital (Holsclaw Hall) |
| 1:30 | Classes Class D: Jamming for Fun! Class E: How the Cello is Made to Resonate Class F: Video Room |
| 2:15 | Dress rehearsal |
| 3:30 | Cello Ensemble Concert (Crowder Hall) |
More information and copies of the sheet music will be sent out once you register. Questions may be directed to Theodore Buchholz at theodorebuchholz@hotmail.com.
Tucson Cello Congress Young Artist Competition
We are proud to host the Tucson Cello Congress Young Artist Competition for highly prepared students. Please consult your private teacher to determine eligibility.
Competition Levels
Level 1: Students in the 8th grade and below
Level 2: Students in 9th-12th grade
Level 3: College students up to 24 years of age
The Kathy Krause Prize for Excellence in Cello
Level 1: $100
Level 2: $100
Level 3: $100
Competition Repertoire and Time Limits
Level 1 repertoire will have a time limit of 8 minutes, and the repertoire should be at the Suzuki Book Two level or above. Levels 2 and 3 will have a time limit of 10 minutes. The video submissions can be unaccompanied (send to theodorebuchholz@hotmail.com). Winners must provide piano accompaniment at the Showcase Recital.
Additionally, any cellist can compete for the chance to perform the solo part of Price’s Adoration accompanied by the Advanced Cello Ensemble! The sheet music can be found at https://imslp.org/wiki/Special:ImagefromIndex/679826/hfnm. Submit an additional video of the Adoration (send to theodorebuchholz@hotmail.com).
The competition videos must be submitted by January 1. You will be notified of the results by email. Those selected will play in Holsclaw Hall the day of the Cello Congress. There will be a $10 entry fee collected upon registration for the Cello Congress.
Any questions regarding repertoire or other contest details should be directed to theodorebuchholz@hotmail.com.
Location
The event will be held at the UA School of Music (1017 North Olive Rd) in Tucson, AZ. For those traveling from out of town, the closest hotels are Tucson Marriott University Park and the Graduate Tucson.
Tucson Cello Congress Board of Directors:
Theodore Buchholz, Anne Gratz, Gabrielle Halko, Lori Hennessy, Juan Mejia, Michael Santander, Marion Turner, Mary Beth Tyndall, Rachel Vega, and Alice Vierra
Be sure to stop by the Southwest Strings table to interact with one of the world’s leading vendors of string instruments and supplies.