Information

• What is Chamber Music?

• What do Caltech students say about Chamber Music?

• How much time does it take to be in Chamber Music at Caltech?

• Who Plays Chamber Music at Caltech?

• How do I join Chamber Music at Caltech?

• Who Coaches Chamber Music?

What is Chamber Music?

What do Caltech students say about Chamber Music?

"I could see there were performers at a number of different levels, and therefore felt that there was room for me"

of the "non-intimidating atmosphere"

"there are no music majors... everyone else only got to practice by squeezing in some time between problem sets"

"I had never played in a chamber group format before and the idea sounded very intriguing and interesting"

"chamber music fills a sort of addiction I have for music. It sounds bad, but if I didn't have chamber music, I'd probably suffer withdrawal"

of "small groups and individual attention"

"working together with a few other people to puzzle out a difficult rhythm, or decide on how to handle balance and dynamic constrasts: that can be very stimulating"

"groups are small, you get to know others that are in your group and teamwork is essential"

"I have a significant role in a chamber group. Without one of the members the group cannot function properly"

"being a pianist, my role was previously one of two extremes; either being soloist or accompanist. Participating in chamber music allows me to perform with others where each member's part is equally weighted"

"I think the music program keeps me sane! It is one of the very few things I do here that completely takes my mind off work."

"with music we are given freedom to become passionate, emotional, and irrational because it is part of the music and part of us that needs to be expressed"

How much time does it take to be in Chamber Music at Caltech?

• one hour per week is required, more is encouraged
• are longer or more frequent close to concert time
• are both independant and with a professional coach

• include everyone in the chamber music program
• each ensemble plays once on a January concert and once on a concert in May
• are scheduled not to coincide with finals
• take place on weekends and weekdays at noon (with free lunch provided)

Who Plays Chamber Music at Caltech?

• 40 or so undergrads from all options and all houses
• 20 or more grad students - your TA might be in your trio!
• An occasional post-doc, staff, faculty member, or JPL employee, only as needed to fill a student ensemble

• musicians who have never played chamber music before
• advanced players
• many people with mid-range experience and ability

How do I join Chamber Music at Caltech?

• at Club Fair during Orientation Week
• or at The Performing and Creative Arts Office, located at 305 South Hill

• are friendly, not competitive
• are for ensemble placement - so you can work with other musicians at your l evel
• need not involve long prepared pieces; play whatever you can and sight read
• take place just before classes begin

• is available for all music ensembles, including chamber music
• is 3 units per term
• sign up at registration or add the class later
• it's OK to be in chamber music if you don't sign up for credit

Who Directs Chamber Music?

• organizes the groups, helps select music, and coaches most ensembles
• is a professional cellist who plays with groups as varied as the Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra and the studio orchestra for the X-Files movie

• coaches brass chamber music and directs Caltech's concert and jazz bands
• is a professional trumpet player whose credits also range from playing with the LA Philharmonic to the studio orchestra for Mission Impossible