Chamber music training for SF Bay Area’s young musicians
In 2009, San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music launched two new chamber music training programs for young musicians of the San Francisco Bay Area. Both programs, Chamber Music Encounter | Roosevelt and Chamber Music Encounter | Nueva are based on the successful curriculum begun by SFFCM in 2003 at the Yehudi Menuhin Chamber Music Seminar. Each program seeks to offer high quality training through the particular art form of chamber music, an ideal atmosphere for improving both musical and social skills.
Chamber Music Encounter | Roosevelt
Weekly coaching by SFFCM affiliated chamber musicians for middle school age musicians at Roosevelt Middle School in Oakland, California.
In January 2009, SFFCM initiated Chamber Music Encounter at Roosevelt Middle School in Oakland, California. This free program is a collaborative venture that brings together chamber music artists from the SFFCM Affiliate Program with underprivileged youth to offer chamber music training and instill a lifelong love for music. Working closely with Roosevelt music teacher, Linda Green, this year’s curriculum offered 8 chamber ensembles weekly coaching, two student performances; as well as professional performances by SFFCM affiliates and a visit by composer, Gabriella Lena Frank. SFFCM assisted in the coordination and administration of the program, instrument acquisition, and importantly, offered musical advice on how to build strong musicians through a great chamber music experience.
SFFCM looks forward to continuing the mutually beneficial relationship with Roosevelt School, fulfilling its commitment to bring chamber music to a diverse community; to build chamber music appreciation by actively promoting live music-making for youngsters; and, by offering SFFCM affiliates a chance to develop an effective, functional outreach program.
Chamber Music Encounter continues to seek additional partnerships with public school music programs and music teachers interested in similar collaboration. Please leave a message on our voicemail -24hrs/7- (415) 820-1530 for more information.
Chamber Music Encounter | Nueva
A day-long program of pre-formed chamber ensembles offering coaching, master classes, performance and interaction with professional chamber musicians for students ages 12-18.
On June 14, 2009, SFFCM recreated its popular “Entrée Program” from the Yehudi Menuhin Chamber Music Seminar, by holding a day-long youth chamber music festival at The Nueva School, Hillsborough, California. Known for its unique music program founded by Sir Yehudi Mehuhin and Helen Dowling, The Nueva School is an idea setting for the intense curriculum of coaching, master classes and student performance that brought 7 middle and high school chamber ensembles from Golden Gate Philharmonic and Nueva School together.
Designed for advanced young chamber musicians, the festival combines learning and performance experiences that showcase the work accomplished throughout the academic year. Each ensemble arrived with two movements from chamber music repertoire ready for comment by SFFCM Affiliates in morning coaching, and distinguished professional chamber musicians in afternoon master classes. Both morning and afternoon sessions were rewarded by professional performances, and the day’s finale came in an hour-long student performance for family and friends.
Chamber Music Encounter | Nueva invites interest and application from pre-formed chamber ensembles for its 2010 encounter. Please leave a message on our voicemail -24hrs/7- (415) 820-1530 for more information.
This past year, SFFCM has seen both beginning and advanced music students reap the rewards of two dedicated chamber music programs that each offer unique opportunities to work with professionals in a field, meet peers with an avid interest in music, and enjoy the highest level of training.
