Mission Statement
- To explore the great works of wind chamber music using the traditional Harmoniemusik wind ensemble as the starting point for this exploration.
- To work and learn as a musical cooperative combining the talents of our regional professional artists to achieve the highest standards of musical excellence.
- To create positive relationships with educational institutions, civic and community groups, and fine arts organizations in Cincinnati and the tri-state area.
The Benefits of Chamber Music
What does chamber music participation require of the musicians?
- Cooperation: each individual is required to contribute to a communal effort
- Communication: in order to perform well, musicians must be clear with each other
- Problem solving: musicians must learn to seek multiple rather than single solutions
and take an active role in interpretating and shaping the music
- Personal responsibility: students must prepare individually in order to participate
effectively
- Discrimination: students must evaluate what they hear and make reasoned
judgements
What are the by-products of chamber music participations?
- Achievement of excellence and an ongoing striving to improve
- Improved self-esteem based on individual musical expression and growth
- Ability to convey ideas, emotions, creativity, and imagination
- Increased awareness and appreciation for diversity of ideas andbackgrounds
- Heightened aesthetic awareness
- Discovery of a lifelong source of inspiration, avocation or profession
- Skills transfer into all areas of study, work, and life: creative thinking, problem
solving, risk taking and teamwork
- Values connect studens to themselves, ther own culture, and world cultures
- Performance opportunities in community settings not usually possible with large
ensembles
- Adult advocacy for chamber music education
- Community and philanthropic participation in and support for the arts
What are the advantages of chamber music activity by students?
- Chamber music activities challenge students, especially pianists, to go beyond
achieving just technical proficiency - to reach a higher level of musicianship
- The number and variety of performance opportunties for small ensembles strengthens
students’ performances and communication skills, teaches them to use their music for others,
and introduces them to many possible venues outside of the formal stage setting
- Parents can provide rehearsal space, performance opportunities, transportation, and
more. With greater involvement, they become stronger advocates for the overall music and arts programs in their schools and communities
What are the advantages of chamber music presentations by professional ensembles?
- A small group is more affordable and transportable than a large group, ceating an
opportunity for a curricular approach rather than an exposure approach to artist in schools
activities. That is, a performance can be preceded and followed by performers working in
classrooms, involving students in musical processes and activities.
- With a chamber ensemble, teachers and performers can better collaborate to develop
educational programs that meet curricular and developmental needs of specific situations.
- Visiting chamber ensembles can perform in venues and provide outreach programs
that large performing groups cannot accomodate.
Why is chamber music often a “tough sell” in schools?
Chamber music often...
- lacks the glamour of larger performing groups
- has an aura of elitism
- can be misunderstood as “only string quartets”
- is often overlooked due to mislabeling: most schools in the United States have solo and ensemble competitions, which are really chamber music festivals
- is difficult to schedule given the need to match students by level and temperment
- is difficult to schedule during the school day if it is not curricular
- requires multiple rehearsal spaces
- requires multiple coaches
- costs more than larger ensembles because of the low student/coach ratio
- generates fear of student behavior if rehearsals are unsupervised
- fosters competition among faculty over the best students
- requires careful repertory selection
What are some solutions to these problems?
All solutions are local; assume nothing. But in general: engage in partnerships,
collaborations, ongoing relationships, and marketing of your program.
- Tap volunteer resources - parents, neighbors, civic groups, religous groups, retired
music teachers, amateur musicians and ensembles - to oversee rehearsals, provide space,
help with transportation, etc.
- Recruit advanced students - high school, community college, university or
conservatory - as mentors for young ensembles
- Make links with private teachers to encourage chamber music participation while
reducing the isolation of those taking lessons outside of schools
- Take advantage of arts agencies and institutions to develop curricula, obtain
instruments, bring resident artists, and get tickets to performances
- Advocate with school boards, legislators, parents, organizations, and community
boards
- Develop partnerships with local corporations through adopt-a-school programs,
volunteer efforts, or direct funding
- Build partnerships with community agencies as performance venues - nursing homes,
senior centers, community centers, youth at risk programs, correctional centers, etc.
- Establish ongoing relationships with media - newspapers, radio, television
- Form coalitions with other school or professional organizations