Chamber Ensembles

The University of Rochester Chamber Ensembles program is a 1-credit course for the supervised study and performance of small ensemble pieces (group sizes typically range from 3 to 8 players). This course provides the opportunity to study chamber music works of various eras and instrumentations; the performance of lesser-known works is welcome and encouraged! Recent performances have included string quartets by Bacewicz, Debussy, and Dvorak, flute and cello duos, piano trios, cello choir, and a 21st-century piece for trombone octet. Prior chamber music or other ensemble experience is neither expected nor required. The course is open to any student who plays an instrument.

The course entails weekly rehearsals with your chamber ensemble, coaching sessions, performance in master classes and studio classes, and a final performance.

You may enroll via the Fall 2024 Chamber Music Info Form as part of an existing chamber group, or as an individual player. If enrolling as an individual player, the chamber music coordinator will place you in a group.

Fall 2024 Auditions for MUSC 155: Chamber Ensembles

Video of playing sample due by Friday, August 30th at 5 p.m. (no in-person or live auditions).

Enrollment Requirements

To audition for chamber ensembles, please submit the Fall 2024 Chamber Music Info Form by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 30th, 2024. Each student (new or returning) wishing to participate in a chamber music ensemble must fill out an individual form. In the online form, students are asked to include a link to a video of a solo playing sample (there will be no live auditions).

If either of the following applies to you, you are NOT required to submit a playing sample video:

• If you participated in chamber ensembles at any point during the 2021-2024 school years, you do not need to include a video.
• If you have a fully pre-formed chamber group, you do not need to include a video.

Playing Sample Video Requirements

• Three to five (3-5) minutes of a solo piece representative of your playing.
• If it is not possible to provide a recording of a solo piece, or you have questions about the video requirement, please ask Jennifer Carpenter (jcarpe14@u.rochester.edu).
• Upload one video containing all audition repertoire to YouTube as an "unlisted" video (Information for uploading to YouTube and privacy settings ("unlisted") may be found on YouTube and on the web).

Questions

Contact Jennifer Carpenter at jcarpe14@u.rochester.edu with questions.