Our Program
Overview
Our program provides a one-week series of chamber music sessions for instrument and voice, from June 23–27, featuring insightful and innovative approaches from our exceptional faculty.
Experience lessons, coaching, master classes, rehearsals, demonstrations, yoga and more — all in the context of a supportive and enriching environment.
Who Can Apply?
Anyone 10 years of age or older. We encourage applications from pre-formed ensembles and individuals wishing to be placed in a group. All instrument and voice categories are considered. In addition, we accept applications from student composers who have written small chamber works and have ready-to-use parts and a score.
What Is the Program Like?
Our chamber music program features the works of the great masters, including those of the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as gems written by lesser-known composers. A small number of students who wish to hone their skills in the art of improvisation, in an ensemble that dedicates itself to “unwritten” chamber music, may join the Impromptu Ensemble instead of a traditional chamber group. For these students the focus is on improvisation, form, non-verbal cues and rehearsal techniques.
To see a typical day's itinerary, click here.
Each day’s schedule begins with a half-hour yoga class. Meant to put students’ minds and bodies into limber and focused readiness, the daily yoga regimen is a wonderful opportunity to prepare for the intensity and concentration of the coming daily activities.
Individual group classes feature lessons given by our talented and knowledgeable faculty. Coaching focuses on the needs of each individual as well as the group.
Classes in rehearsal and practicing techniques are taught by each faculty member. These classes are followed by half-hour rehearsals, in which the student ensembles use their newly acquired rehearsal techniques with only sparse guidance by their coaches. This allows students to develop independence and the ability to work together toward a common musical goal.
At least once each session, our faculty gives rehearsal demonstrations, showing students how professional chamber ensemble rehearsals are typically conducted.
We offer the opportunity for student composers to attend our chamber music sessions. For an ensemble assigned to perform a student’s composition, the working relationship between creator and interpreter is carefully guided by faculty toward the goal of a mutually rewarding performance.
At the end of the week, all participating chamber ensembles perform in a final concert. These concerts are videotaped and made available (on DVD) to each student.
These and countless other offerings make Intermezzo Chamber Music Sessions an intense, wonderfully unique and enormously gratifying way to enjoy and improve the art of playing in a chamber ensemble.
To see a typical day's itinerary, click here.
To apply for our program, click here.