Open To: New, intermediate and advanced students on all instruments including strings, piano, woodwinds, brass and percussion.

Spend a week playing chamber music at BKCM’s new Chamber Festival Camp – a comprehensive program open to instrumentalists aged 12-18. 

This camp is tailored to students who are new to Chamber music, as well as intermediate and advanced players with strong reading skills. Guidelines for level include Suzuki Bk. 4+ or NYSSMA level 4 or higher, or equivalent.

Students will be grouped in mixed instrument settings of 2-5 players to fine-tune their ensemble skills and artistry while making friends. Participants will work with expert chamber coaches, and engage in an extensive schedule that includes supervised private and semi-private practice, as well as workshops that build the skills necessary for good chamber-playing: 

• Practice strategies
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Reading skills
• Music theory
• Score analysis 
• Music history

Students will be treated to chamber performances by faculty, and the week’s work is celebrated at a Friday performance.

To join us this summer, please submit an application and a teacher recommendation by Friday, July 19.  Once you apply, we will be in touch about a low-pressure audition process. Video auditions will also be accepted.

Audition Requirements:

• One 2 or 3 octave scale of your choice, and accompanying arpeggio
• One 2-4 minute piece of your choice that is an example of your skill and artistry

In both cases, a live sight-reading selection may be required.

Based on applicants and auditions, students will be placed in groups and receive music that is chosen to be both exciting and achievable at the beginning of the summer. It is recommended that accepted students bring their music to their private teacher to thoroughly learn it and arrive at camp with the music well-prepared.

Sample Daily Schedule (M-F):
9-9:10 a.m.: Arrival
9:10-9:40 a.m.: Whole Festival Sight-Reading Warmup
9:45-10:45 a.m.: Chamber Coaching Session 1 – Overview
10:50 – 11:20 a.m.: Guided private/semi-private practice
11:20-11:35 am: Snack
11:40 – 12:10 Faculty/Student/Guest Performances
12:15-12:45 Elective/Workshop: Read-In/Musicianship/theory/history/rounds/Yoga/Dalcroze
12:45-1:15pm: Lunch
1:20-2pm: Chamber Coaching Session #2
2:05-2:50: Workshop: Drama, Improv, Large ensemble