Adult Chamber Music Workshop

About the Workshop

Diller-Quaile’s Adult Chamber Music Workshops provide opportunities for amateur instrumentalists of all levels to explore chamber music repertoire within a musically dynamic and supportive environment. The program’s goals are to provide artistically beautiful collaborative ensemble playing experiences, deepen knowledge of and facility with chamber music repertoire that is diverse in genre, era, instrumentation, and style, and develop the innate musicality of each participant within a connective ensemble experience.

Diller-Quaile’s workshops are unique in that they provide personalized coaching, multiple opportunities to play throughout each session, and partnering opportunities for players with a variety of experience levels. We work with the participants to create ensembles with diverse instrumentation, and pre-formed groups are encouraged to participate as well. Repertoire is chosen to be both technically challenging for each player at his or her experience level, while also setting realistic goals for preparation and performance. Scores are sent to the participants at least two weeks in advance. Each 4-hour workshop includes two separate hands-on coached chamber playing sessions where participants can play in two separate ensembles, or with one ensemble twice if they so choose. In the coached sessions, players explore different instrumentation and repertoire selected for their skill level, and work with professional instrumentalists, instrumental instructors, and coaches.

In addition, players have the opportunity to socialize in between playing sessions; many long-standing participants view the workshops as a chance to stay connected with other musicians as well as to grow musically. We provide opportunities for workshop participants to develop community through their shared passion for chamber music; many of our participants attend both the Chamber Music workshops and other Diller-Quaile programs. Many participants have been engaged in lessons at the School or in our Adult Chamber programming for many years, and a strong community of musicians has been fostered in the program.