Hope College
Music Department
Winds Chamber Music Syllabus
Adopted Fall 2015
Faculty responsible for assigning and maintaining chamber ensembles:
-Professor Mihai Craioveanu – string area.
-Dr. Gabe Southard – wind area.
* Please note – all string players must be assigned ensembles via Professor Craioveanu; all wind players via Dr. Southard;
-Any students outside wind/string areas (i.e. voice, piano) that are interested in chamber music must have their studio instructor contact in writing professor Craioveanu and/or Dr. Southard. -
-Based on student availability and/or performance level compatibility a chamber group will be formed and coached by them or other coaches in string/wind areas with occasional assistance from the students' private instructors.
Meeting Times (total 2 hours per week)
Coachings will occur once a week for one hour – schedule to be determined by the faculty coach during the first week of classes (if not before). Rehearsals will occur once a week for one hour – schedule to be determined by students after the first coaching. Extra coaching or rehearsals may be called if absolutely necessary, but not excessively.
Course Objectives
The main objective of chamber music is to explore the repertoire written for specific ensembles through rehearsals, coaching, and performances. Ideally, ensembles will be formed with the intention of staying together for 2-4 years (i.e. string quartets, woodwind quintets, etc.), however less traditional groups may be formed for a semester with the permission of the appropriate area head(s).
Required Materials
Members of each chamber ensemble are required to come to each coaching with their instruments/reeds in working order, music, metronome, tuner, and pencil!
Grading
Students will be graded on the following criteria:
Attendance/Attitude: 40% .
Preparation/Participation: 40%.
Performances: 20%.
Wind Specific Information:
All Chamber Ensembles will play a chamber jury at the end of each semester unless the ensemble performs a complete recital OR two separate performances (i.e. wind chamber recital, DeVos Musical Showcase, Brown Bag). Programs must be submitted.

Attendance
Due to the limited number of classes, attendance at each rehearsal is expected. All absences, with the exception of extreme illness and absences that have been pre-approved by the instructor will lower the attendance portion of your evaluation.
Additional Requirements:
MEMBERS OF ANY CHAMBER ENSEMBLE MUST BE CONCURRENTLY ENROLLED
IN LESSONS AND/OR A MAJOR ENSEMBLE (i.e. Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, or Concert
Band).
If you are interested in participating in a chamber group (including established ensembles like
Percussion Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Saxophone Quartet, and Woodwind
Quintet), you must contact and audition for Dr. Southard on the Monday before classes start as part of the major ensemble auditions. On the audition form, there is a spot where you can indicate your interest. Members of pre-formed groups should check this on the form and list the group he/she is part of already. Dr. Southard will then form (or confirm) groups and assign them to coaches in the wind area as appropriate, based on availability, playing level of the auditionees, and in consultation with studio teachers.
*Please note – not everyone interested in chamber music will be assigned to an ensemble.