A chamber ensemble is a small group of musicians, playing one to a part, who perform without a conductor. Unlike orchestra, there is no one else playing the same part as you, so you have to know your part thoroughly! However, unlike solo performance, you are playing with others as part of a team.
Student chamber groups receive coaching from professional teachers and players (in our case, the pros are members of the Portland Piano Trio!) This helps them prepare for an eventual performance at the end of the session, which includes 10 coachings.
We will combine students with similar levels and backgrounds based on their audition, which can be in-person on January 6, 2025 at 6pm, or by video (emailed to info@240strings.org.) Audition consists of 5-10 minutes of material you have worked on in private lessons that best represents your playing. *Current 240 Strings students do not need to audition, but they DO need to fill out the application. Non-240 Strings students must be enrolled in private lessons.
Applications (including videos emailed to info@240strings.org, if desired) and payment are due January 1, 2025! Assignments will be announced around February 1, and individual parts will be distributed as well. Weekly coachings will take place Mar 3, Mar 10, Mar 17, Mar 24, Mar 31, Apr 7, Apr 21, Apr 28, May 5, May 12. The final concert (mandatory) is immediately following the Portland Piano Trio concert on May 18th at 3pm.
Chamber music is a commitment. All members must attend all coachings and the final concert, for the good of everyone in the group. Please be sure to check every date before committing. There will be no makeup coachings.
Working with peers, striving to be a better musician for the good of the group, and ultimately succeeding are all crucial goals for developing musicians. We want all students to have the opportunity to play in a chamber music group with players of the same level, and to work with the Portland Piano Trio as coaches! Realizing that families have different abilities to pay, 240 Strings is offering a voluntary four-tier pricing schedule. You may choose the tier that works best for your family.
