MIT Music Performing Organizations

MIT CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY - FAQs

chamber music n. Mus. Compositions traditionally intended for performance in a private room or small concert hall by an instrumental or vocal ensemble, with one player for each part.

What is the Chamber Music Society?
The Chamber Music Society, coordinated by Professor Marcus Thompson, is comprised of students selected by audition to study and perform chamber music literature. Each individual is expected to prepare his/her own part privately, and to rehearse with the other group members in preparation for the weekly lesson. MIT faculty members coach all groups once a week. The ensemble must perform in a recital at the end of each semester in Killian Hall. This subject/activity may be taken for credit: 21M445.

Who auditions when and how?
The Chamber Music Society is open first to individual students or pre-formed groups, and second to staff, spouses, and recent alumni. The public auditions for all new members and sign-up for returning members takes place at the beginning of each semester at 7 PM on Registration Day in Killian Hall, 14W-111. Each new player is expected to play/sing two pieces of music of contrasting styles that show the range of the player's ability. New players will be given a short sight-reading skill test. Auditioning Ensembles are expected to present a portion of a prepared work as their entire audition. You may audition individually or as a group. The audition is for placement purposes. Returning members whose level of playing we know need not re-audition but do need to attend the auditions and sign up.

How are groups formed?
Groups are formed by matching up players with similar interests and abilities. The actual number of groups formed depends on the number of hours available in the teaching loads of the coaching staff. This may vary from eighteen to twenty-one (instructional hours) each semester. The numbers of students placed depends on the ability to make appropriate matches. Auditioning as a pre-formed group may improve chances for acceptance if the coaches agree that the group is well balanced and can complete a project. Assignment, however, is not guaranteed.

When and where are the results posted?
The results will be posted on Thursday afternoon by 5 PM on the bulletin board in front of 4-243. Groups members are expected to contact each oother and sign up for permanent lesson time on the posted coach schedule sheets. Groups should read through suggested or similar literature, and finalize the repertoire at the first lesson. If there are questions and adjustments to be made, please contact Marcus Thompson bratsche@mit.edu as soon as possible.

How and where do we meet?
Please read very carefully the notice posted with the list! You will be asked to initial your name wherever it appears, verify correctness of name, email and phone number, take down the names and numbers of people in your group(s), and call/contact them to arrange a reading and lesson times. Music and music stands may be taken out from the Music Library with an ID card. Keys to the music classrooms may be signed out from the Music Office (4-246).

Who chooses the music?
You may request to work on specific repertoire but the final decision is made between group members and the coach.

May I play in more than one group? May I play more than one instrument?
Yes. However, if you are new to MIT and/or to chamber music, we suggest that you start with just one group. If your pre-formed group is placed, we may ask one or members to play in additional group in order to make groups possible where there is a shortage of instruments.

Do I have to take chamber music for subject credit?
No, but you will be subject to the same rules ( i.e., preparation and performance requirement, and attendance standards) as those who do. The subject MAY be added until ADD DATE without penalty, but CANNOT be added retroactively in a future semester, should you wish to petition for credits to fulfill a major, minor, concentration, or HASS elective requirement.

When and where do we perform?
You are encouraged to arrange performances in music classes, in dormitories, etc. Traditionally, performances are scheduled during the last week of the semester in a series in Killian Hall. The Concerts Office will send you a n email request for program information and 4 date/time preferences. Whenever possible, your first choice will be accomodated. However, program order will not be guaranteed. It is expected that you attend the concert from beginning to end and that your friends, in courtesy to the other groups performing, stay for the whole concert as well. Should you want flyers of your concert, to post or give to friends, contact the Concerts Office, 4-243.

Who are the coaches?
Our coaches are all distinguished performers of chamber music in the Boston area and beyond who are also teach music at MIT, including: David Deveau, piano (piano, strings, winds); Jean Rife, horn (winds, piano, voice, strings); Marcus Thompson, viola (strings, piano, winds, voice); and others. Coaches are assigned and may not be selected by the students.

How much do I need to practice for the coaching lesson?
To get the best out of any lesson, a group must be prepared to play through music that has been individually practiced as well as rehearsed as an ensemble. The amount of time required to get the best results will differ depending on the group, repertoire, and the standard of performance you wish to prepare. Hard work at regular intervals has always produced better performances than last minute preparation. The semester calendar normally allows for ten to eleven coaching sessions. At midsemester, at least half of the composition (preferably the more difficult half) should have been presented at lessons for coachings.

What are we graded on?
The subject is graded P/F for first semester freshmen, and A through F for all others. The grade is determined by your weekly preparation, attendance at rehearsals and coachings, and the end of term concert.

What if I am not assigned to a chamber group?
If you don’t get assigned to a group, you may be placed in a waiting list that we use to place students in ad hoc chamber music groups on a non-credit basis, if and when the opportunity comes up. Students should definitely sign-up again the following semester. Pianists can be assigned to 4-hand or 2-piano groups or to an instrumental or vocal accompaniment option.