Chamber Music
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Anchored by a world-class chamber music faculty, including past members of such eminent ensembles as the Cleveland Quartet, Muir Quartet, Mendelssohn Quartet, Boston Chamber Music Society, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Chamber Music Department at NEC teaches students to embrace and enjoy musical collaboration and creative interaction.
Many of NEC’s chamber faculty have award-winning recordings to their credit, and continue to be active performers and teachers at such major chamber music festivals as Marlboro, Ravinia, Taos, Yellow Barn, the Perlman Music Program, and the Banff Chamber Music program. In addition, NEC is fortunate in having two highly distinguished resident ensembles—the Borromeo Quartet and the Weilerstein Trio—who make NEC their teaching home.
Instrumentalists participating in chamber music study at NEC, typically in groups of three to eight musicians, receive in-depth, individualized group coaching focused on all aspects of small ensemble playing. Students interested in particular composers and genres may choose one of the special seminars annually offered by the Chamber Music Department, or may have an opportunity to participate in such groups as the Contemporary Ensemble, the NEC Bach Ensemble, or Avant-Garde Ensemble. Students may satisfy part of their Chamber Music requirement by exploring improvisation and world music in ensembles originating in the Contemporary Musical Arts (CMA) Department.* In some cases classical majors may petition to receive chamber music credit for participation in Sonata Repertoire or a secondary CMA ensemble.
Public performance is a critical aspect of the chamber music program at NEC. Every ensemble is expected to perform in public. In addition to performances at the Conservatory, NEC chamber groups give outreach concerts at schools, after-school programs, senior centers, libraries, museums, hospitals, and homeless shelters, organized by the Community Performances and Partnerships program or arranged through the Music for Food organization.
* MM students may apply a maximum of 1 credit substitution toward their chamber music requirement. BM students of Violin, Viola, Cello and Guitar may apply a maximum of 2 credits substitution toward their chamber music requirement. All other BM students may apply a maximum of 1 credit substitution toward their chamber music requirement.