Chamber Music (Small Mixed Instrument Groups)
All ages, instruments, and levels welcome (adults included)!
Program Cost: $250*
Overview:
WHY study chamber music? Unlike solo playing or playing with a conductor, participants learn how to listen and respond to each other for timing and balance, and they learn to negotiate their interpretive choices as a group. This is one of the most important and powerful ways to grow as a musician. Participants will be placed in chamber music ensembles (duos, trios, quartets, etc.) with others who are at a similar level.
Participants will receive 8 coachings with LAM faculty between October 2024 and February 2025. They are also encouraged to rehearse on their own between coachings! Rehearsals are scheduled with each individual coach. The program will culminate with our Chamber Showcase, held at the Speed Art Museum on Sunday, February 9 at 2:00 pm.
Audition for the Magnolia Quartet!
NEW IN 2024! Advanced string students have the opportunity to audition for the Magnolia Quartet, which will consist of the traditional string quartet instrumentation (2 violins, viola, and cello). This group will rehearse together between October and February as described above. Following the February 9 Showcase, this group will begin rehearsing for a side-by-side performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s Octet, op. 20 with the NouLou Chamber Players. The quartet will receive 4 additional coachings with LAM Faculty member & NouLou Musician/Founder Laura De St. Croix at no extra charge and will perform in the Spring Student Showcase on Friday, March 21, 2025.
how to apply:
chamber music program
Fill out your information on our application form. We will also ask for a video recording of a recent piece you have worked up. Solo repertoire is preferred, but if you would rather send in a piece you have worked up in band, orchestra, etc. we will accept that as well! If you do not play a string instrument or if you are not auditioning for the Magnolia Quartet, you can skip through the second page of the Google Form, and click submit!
Magnolia Quartet
Advanced string students interested in auditioning for the Magnolia Quartet should indicate this on the second page of their chamber application. In addition to your video excerpt described above, please upload video recordings of excerpts for your instrument from the Mendelssohn where they are requested in the application. The excerpts are:
Violin 2
Excerpt 1: 5th measure of letter A until downbeat of 16th measure of letter A
Excerpt 2: 12 measures before letter E through first measure of letter E
Viola 2
Excerpt 1: Measure 21 until downbeat of A. (Please count rests)
Excerpt 2: 7 measures before letter E until downbeat of 4 after E (m. 219 with forte on the first note)
Cello 2
Excerpt 1: Letter A through 16th measure of letter A (D is the last note)
Excerpt 2: 10 measures before letter E (play the first eighth note of the measure without the tie beforehand & please count rests) through first measure of letter E (Eb is the last note)
important Dates:
In addition to the Feb. 9 performance at the Speed Museum, all members of the Magnolia Quartet must reserve the following dates:
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 pm: Magnolia Quartet Rehearsal #1 with NouLou at LAM
Friday, March 21, 2025 from 4:30-5:30 pm: Magnolia Quartet Rehearsal #2 with NouLou (venue TBA)
Friday, March 21, 2025 from 6:30-7:30 pm: Magnolia Quartet performs with NouLou during Spring Student Showcase (venue TBA)
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*Multi-class discount for current LAM students applies. To be considered for financial assistance please CONTACT US
Our chamber program is made possible thanks to generous funding from the Associated Chamber Music Players.
