Education
Education programs are at the heart of the Austin Chamber Music Center. Numerous educational opportunities support musicians of all ages, levels, and interests. The education program includes:
Academy for Young Artists More Info
A program for students ages 6-18, which meets on Saturday afternoons during the school year at the Armstrong Community Music School. Young artists of comparable age and musical proficiency are placed into chamber music groups (string quartets, piano trios, wind quintets, mixed groups) and assigned a professional musician/coach to learn chamber repertoire from the classical canon. Students also participate in theory/composition & improvisation classes as well as masterclasses with visiting artists. All student musicians have multiple performance opportunities throughout the semesters.
Adult Academy More Info
Chamber Music isn’t just for kids! ACMC has a thriving coaching program for adult musicians who seek to learn and perform chamber music in a variety of configurations. Groups are formed based on skill level and musical interests and placed with professional musicians for regular coaching sessions.
In-school Chamber Music Program
ACMC also provides numerous opportunities for students’ musical growth within the AISD and EISD. Now in residence at five schools within the orchestra and band programs: McCallum Fine Arts Academy & LBJ/LASA High Schools, Lamar and Fulmore Middle Schools, and East Austin College Prep. ACMC reaches a hundred and fifty students teaching them the intricacies of musical communication and expression within small ensembles.
Summer Workshop More Info
A multi-week chamber music camp that runs simultaneously with the Austin Chamber Music Festival. The Summer Workshop provides musical opportunities for musicians of all ages (Primary Division for musicians ages 6-10, Young Artist Division for musicians 11-18, and Adult Division for avocational musicians of all ages). Activities include chamber music, chamber orchestra, composition, improvisation, gamelan, percussion ensemble, and movement classes in addition to coaching and master classes with renown international touring artists.
Coltman Chamber Music Competition More Info
Begun in the spring of 2010, the annual Felicity Coltman Chamber Music Competition provides performance experience and expert commentary to advanced applicants. Winners of the competition are offered a cash prize in addition to multiple performance opportunities including a live-broadcast on KMFA 89.5.
What is Chamber Music and Why Play it?
Chamber music is music played by small groups, where each musician has a unique part. Music is performed without a conductor, and is intended to be heard in intimate settings. Examples of chamber music ensembles are piano trio (violin, cello, piano), woodwind trio, string quartet, and brass quintet. Even a jazz combo is considered chamber music. Ensembles can also comprise mixed instruments, such as a flute and guitar duet, or a trio with clarinet, viola, and piano.
As a participant in the Austin Chamber Music Academy or Summer Workshop, you will experience the joys of studying and performing chamber music with enthusiastic musicians of similar proficiency. As an indispensable member of an ensemble, you will make new friends as you improve your sense of rhythm, musical confidence, intonation, and performance skills.
