Chamber Ensemble

WYSO's Chamber Music Program is designed for members who want to learn more about chamber music and perform in a small group setting. Some popular types of chamber music groups are:

- String quartet (two violins, viola, cello)
- Woodwind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn)
- Piano trio (violin, cello, piano)

Members can request their own group members or be assigned to a group with other members who register for the program. After a group is formed, a coach is assigned. Coaches may be professional musicians, music teachers, or music students from the UW-Madison School of Music. As this is not a required program, an additional tuition fee of $175 is charged to participants. Contact the WYSO office or view the application for more information.

The program is divided into three projects – Institute, Academy, and Ambassadors.

Chamber Institute:
Chamber Institute is for Youth Orchestra string and woodwind players. Groups are expected to rehearse each week and regularly meet with their coach (generally a community private teacher or UW faculty member). Institute groups may play as featured performers at Madison area community functions and are also required to perform at the Winter and Spring Chamber Music Recitals.

Chamber Academy:
Philharmonia Orchestra, Concert Orchestra and Sinfonietta members will meet for coaching sessions on designated Saturdays. Academy members are expected to perform at the Winter and the Spring Chamber Music Recitals.

Chamber Ambassadors:
Youth and Philharmonia string players learn standard quartet repertoire and perform as background musicians and sometimes featured musicians at community functions. Members do not have to be in the Chamber Institute or Academy to be an Ambassador.

Chamber coaches:
WYSO provides a coach for each ensemble within the Chamber Music Program. All chamber coaches are professional musicians, music teachers or University of Wisconsin-Madison music students who assist their assigned group with:
•   Exploring musical repertoire outside of the orchestral setting
•   Becoming more proficient on their instruments
•   Learning teamwork in a small group
•   Setting goals for rehearsals and performances