MUS-P 355/713
Chamber Music Workshop
2 hrs, 1 cr: This class counts towards the Ensemble Requirement for the Music Major.
Course Description:
This class is a performance workshop focusing on chamber music repertoire for one or more players. For
entrance into the class, an audition or permission of the instructor is required. It is open to both Music
Majors and non-majors.
NOTE: Students are encouraged to register for ensembles prior to the required audition. After the
audition, which is held during the first week of the semester, students will need to adjust their class
schedules accordingly. (Students who do not pass the audition will be asked to drop the course.)
The workshop is broken up into two components:
1) The official class session. Some of these classes will involve coachings and rehearsals of groups in
several classrooms. Other classes will consist of masterclass sessions, with everyone meeting in Rm.
407 for the entire period. Listen to class announcements, and stay tuned to the Blackboard site for
the course, for piece assignments, schedules and the latest updates (MUS 713 students: Please
refer to the MUSPF 355 Blackboard site for all of this. I will add you all as users to this site.)
*2) For some groups, rehearsals and/or coachings outside of the class period, to be arranged when
groups are formed and schedules and space availability are determined (this will especially be true for
groups for whom space is unavailable during the regular class period.)
(Note: MUSPF 355 and MUS 713 may be taken up to 6 times for credit.)
Prerequisite: Audition and/or permission of the instructor.
Format and Materials:
The first week will involve assessment auditions for all students that have not played before for the
instructor, and formulation of groups and repertoire for the semester. The remainder of the semester will
consist of weekly rehearsals, coachings, and masterclass sessions, leading up to the Chamber Music
Workshop Concert in Lang Recital Hall, which normally takes place within the last two weeks of the
semester.
Note: depending on the number of groups, hours, schedule, etc., groups will not necessarily have a
coaching every group every single week. Each group will receive substantial coachings periodically
throughout the semester, with the frequency generally increasing as we get closer to the concert date.
Some weeks will be very useful, and necessary, for groups to rehearse independently.
Once the specific coaching/rehearsal schedules have been determined, they will be posted on the
Blackboard site for the class. Please refer to it early and often if you are unsure of the schedule!
Assignments and Grading:
As this class is a performance practicum, your final grade will be based on an overall assessment of your
attendance, class participation, steady preparation and development throughout the semester, and your
performance on the Final Concert.