Open to all music students!
Chamber Music at the Conservatory
About Our Programs
The Conservatory offers chamber music opportunities for beginner, intermediate, and advanced music students in the greater Milwaukee area. Each chamber ensemble is curated based on the student’s musical experience, and matched with a Conservatory faculty member who serves as a mentor and coach for the ensemble. Students gain experience playing in a small, self-directed ensemble while receiving constructive feedback in technique, musicality, and non-verbal communication.
Advanced high school students are invited to audition for the Advanced Chamber Music Institute during the Conservatory’s annual Scholarship Audition day held in spring. Students admitted into the program receive weekly coaching from the world-class musicians of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. This unique program provides an intensive chamber ensemble experience for the most promising young high school artists in the state.
New to Chamber Music?
Chamber Music Inquiry Form
Are you a new student interested in chamber music opportunities? Have you been playing for a while and are looking for a group of musicians to play with? Fill out our chamber music inquiry form and the Education Team will work to match you with other interested students of similar age and ability levels. Students do not need to be a current WCM student to participate!
What You Can Expect
Advanced Chamber Music Institute Program
The Advanced Chamber Music Institute is an intensive program for high school musicians to rehearse and perform in small ensembles coached by musicians from the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Admittance into the program is by audition. Students who are accepted into the Advanced Chamber Music Institute will be placed into a small ensemble (string quartet, piano trio, etc.) and receive:
- Two full recitals a year at the Conservatory, plus multiple performance opportunities in the community and at MSO events
- Special ticket offers to MSO concerts and local chamber music concerts
- Weekly coaching and guided rehearsal time with a member of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
- Weekly masterclasses and performance seminars with MSO guest artists and other special guests
Advanced Chamber Music Institute Audition Requirements
Piano
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Sonata-allegro movement from a classical sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert
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Romantic solo work
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Sight-reading
Strings
- One movement of a Bach sonata, partita, or suite
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Complete first movement of any standard concerto
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Sight-reading
Woodwinds & Brass
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Two contrasting movements from a standard concerto, sonata, or other solo work, OR two contrasting works by different composers
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Sight-reading
Percussion
- One movement of a work by Bach on keyboard percussion (4 mallets)
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One contemporary work on keyboard percussion OR multiple percussion setup
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Sight-reading
