Welcome! We love CHAMBER MUSIC and want to share great music with you! At the core of CMIsc is an opportunity to receive four intensive coaching sessions on the assigned literature (twice a week over two weeks). Quartets are carefully matched and assigned each summer. This will be our 24th summer and you may see lots of photos/videos of our 2019 July session at https://chambermusicinstitute.com/photo-memories/2019-photos/

COACHED REHEARSALS July 6-18 (twice a week) in Cerritos, Placentia, and Tustin
Since the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet contained in our southern California area, we have decided to radically change Chamber Music Institute/So Cal for the summer of 2020. The tragedy of so many deaths in our counties leads us to decide that the best we can do is to wish for you a safe summer of good health. We encourage you to follow instructions to maintain social distancing, frequently washing your hands when “safer at home,” and wearing a mask when outdoors. At the same time we are fortunate as musicians to have the joy of playing our instruments when we’re feeling lonely or at a loss for “what to do?”  

For July 2020 we are hoping that joining together in small groups of four or less people wearing masks, keeping our distance of 6 feet apart from each other and even rehearsing outdoors will be possible. We’re giving up our July 19 concert and considering making a video of your fourth rehearsal. This will be our 24th summer together and our aim is to celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birth year with every ensemble playing a movement of his music, as well as a newer work that allows for improvisation.

CELEBRATE BEETHOVEN’S 250th Birthday with us!
Born in 1770 Ludwig van Beethoven was a champion of the string quartet and trio. One of the all-time greatest composers, his seventeen quartets are to chamber music what the plays of Shakespeare are to drama. It is our goal to provide a movement by Beethoven for every group we form for July 2020, as well as a newer contemporary work.

FACULTY
Kay Pech, Director/Violin/Viola
Leslie Ho, Violin/Viola
Esther Back, Cello
Sarah Wallin Huff, Violin/Viola
Kevin Kumar and Dr. Donald Ambroson, Masterclasses

APPLICATION FEE:  all fees are waived, thanks to a very generous donor
 
AUDITION (to help us place you with players of similar skill and experience)
• performing a 3 octave Major or minor scale and a solo of your choice demonstrating tone and vibrato [if this is too difficult for you, please consider waiting a year until you gain these skills]
• online live video and completed by June 3, 2020. After you apply, you will be contacted for your choice of time on June 3, using FaceTime or Zoom.
• Pre-formed string quartets do not need to audition, but it would help us in selecting your assigned music; if you already know which Beethoven movement you wish to study, the audition is not needed. It is highly recommended for pre-formed quartets to submit a video. Contact us for the video procedure.

INVITATION: Selected players were invited (email) by June 5, 2020.
TUITION: all fees are waived, thanks to a very generous donor. This includes the cost of music. Every selected performer has already been awarded a $100 scholarship by the Hennings-Fischer Foundation.

COVID-19: We may be required to postpone into August if the governor's rules require more strict "shelter at home." Since we have already formed our groups, but we're all in a precarious health situation, we welcome additional applicants to form our Wait List. You will be informed about your chances after you apply.

COACHED REHEARSALS July 6-18 (twice a week) in Placentia (mornings and afternoons in a park; evenings in a music studio (large room allow us to be 6 feet apart from each other.)