Mission Statement

Texas Cello School is a charitable organisation dedicated to making music at the highest level. We foster and preserve a tradition of music making which focuses on freedom of expression and the ability to truly speak to audiences from the heart.

Our mission is to sustain this approach to music, nurturing the new generation of musicians to ensure that the highest levels of professional skill are allied with the ability to perform with integrity.

The unique value of Texas Cello School lies in the spirit of music-making which is created during the institute. In an era where much learning now focuses on outcomes, and success, our founder Joseph Kuipers, recognized the absolute necessity for musicians to learn to develop their own unique skills and voices in a live environment of immersion, learning to communicate, create and grow by doing.

Texas Cello Cello Choir and Institute maintain this ideal, creating a safe musical environment where live musical communication can take place.

Philosophy

“Even the creative genius may suffer fears, doubts and vulnerabilities. Teaching must inspire, motivate, impart high ideals, and help each to discover and trust their unique talent and strengths.” 

– Honorary President, Paul Katz.

Each student is an individual with their own talent, passions as well as technical and musical strengths and weaknesses. Texas Cellos School aspires to understand, and respect, the individual profile of each of our students by serving as a conscience encouraging their strengths, while leading them to recognize the truth and beauty of the music they play. It is that goal that should inform their technique, and not the other way round. Our students are from Texas, across the U.S., as well as Europe, and Asia. The emphasis is on shared experiences, with mutual respect, encouragement, and support expected of each member of the institute. Our work is intense, but there is always time for friendly, relaxed social interaction. We come to know and feel at ease with each other as in a close family, building on positive motivation and stimulation from shared musical values and goals, and eschewing narrow-minded competition.

Why?

A note from the director.

When I was 14 years old I was lucky to attend the World Cello Congress III in Baltimore. At that young age, the exposure and immersion in cello concerts, recitals, masterclasses, and cello choir had a profound impact on my deep memory. I don’t remember all the specifics, but I remember the sound of David Geringas playing Shostakovich 1st concerto, The energy of Frans Helmerson playing Elgar, Bernard Greenhouse and Janos Starker sharing the stage, Eli Wiesel explaining that while I could never play like Yo-Yo- he could never play like me…

That exposure to the greats of the cello has stayed with me ever since, and gave me a depth of love for cello playing that carried me through many lonely times alone practicing with the instrument. The aim of the Texas Cello School is to create an ecosystem where this kind of  inspiration will spread through the participants. Once you have tasted the real thing, you will never be satisfied without it.

Joseph Kuipers

Historic Campus

Since 2021 Texas Cello School Summer Intensives have taken place in the McKinney Performing Arts Center in Historic Downton McKinney, on the square. In 2024 Texas Cello School launched a HOUSTON Institute, and in 2025 TCS will move its main campus to Fredericksburg, TX, as well as adding MasterClass SESSIONS in Dallas and Fort Worth.

Team

We are a small, committed team, who work closely together in artistic, financial and organizational decisions.