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.

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

Annie Rabbat Alex Fortes
Ashley Vandiver+ Caitlin Lynch
Blaise Dejardin+ Celia Hatton
Courtenay Vandiver+ Clara Lyon
David McCarroll+ Francesca McNeeley
Frank Shaw+ Gabriela Díaz
Jennifer Curtis Grant Houston
Karen Ouzonian Hannah Collins
Karl Doty+ Jae Cosmos Lee+
Loewi Lin+ Jason Fisher
Robyn Bollinger Jesse Irons+
Sharon Cohen+ Lizzie Burns
Tom Van Dyck+ Megumi Stohs+
Michael Unterman
Miki-Sophia Cloud
Rafael Popper-Keizer
Randall Zigler
Sarah Darling
Zenas Hsu

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:

2024-2025

David Carreon
Jiyoung Lee
Yeh-Chun Lin
Sachin Shukla
Jonah Kernis


2022-2023 Season

Caroline Jesalva
Claire Park
Lisa Sung
Ayano Nakamura
Bree Ann Fotheringham


2019-2020 Season

Antranik Malkastian, violin
Alison Kim, violin
Arun Asthagiri
Joshua Rosenthal


2017-2018 Season

Sean Diehl
Keina Satoh
Julide San




2015-2016 Season

Ethan Siegel 
Linnaea Brophy

2013-2014 Season

Lisa Fujita
Lisa Goddard

2025-2026 Season // NEC :: A Far Cry Collaborative Competition 

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, students will be selected to join the ensemble in the rehearsal process and performance.

January 31 Openings: 3 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello to rehearse/perform Stravinsky’s Apollon musagète 

• Concert on January 31, 2026 at 7:30 pm at Jordan Hall

Full concert repertoire/program details can be found at: https://www.afarcry.org/all-concerts/side-by-side

February 13-14 Opening: 1 double bass to rehearse/perform Anna Clyne’s Within Her Arms

• 2 concerts: February 13, 2026 at Groton Hill Music Center and February 14, 2026 at Jordan Hall

Full concert repertoire/program details can be found at: https://www.afarcry.org/all-concerts/heart-strings

Eligibility 

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

Applicants must play violin, viola, cello, or double bass.

Applicants must be available to perform with A Far Cry on ALL of the concerts listed for which they are applying. 

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 10:00am-4:30pm, Tuesday or Wednesday through Friday the week of, with a dress rehearsal 3pm-6pm on the day of the first concert and a 1-hour soundcheck prior to any subsequent 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 is no live audition option). Videos must have been recorded within the last year.

• 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 

Application Link and Deadline to Apply

• Please complete the online application with your personal information, confirmation of eligibility, and links to your video audition: https://forms.gle/pirHkh3nYz8VvSY29

• Applications are due Sunday, October 26, 2025 at midnight ET.

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 2025-2026 A Far Cry wage rates for contracted services [Rehearsal Fee: $55/hr, Performance Fee: $230 each]

Invitation to Spring 2026 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 during the season.

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