Chamber Music Lab

Chamber music experiences for intermediate string players

Audition and Student Responsibility | Cost and Scholarship 

Registration is now closed for the 2023-2024 school year. Check back in August 2024 for registration information for 2024-2025!

Parent Handbook 2023-2024 // Manual Para Padres 2023-2024

Chamber Music Lab participants will be formed into small ensembles as soon as possible according to age, experience, and location. Small ensembles will meet regularly for one-hour coachings with their Chamber Music Lab coach.

NEW THIS YEAR: Ensemble rehearsal schedules will be set at the beginning of the year based on preferences determined during the registration process. If the listed times/places don't work for you, please let us know and we will try to work with you!

Chamber Music Lab 2023-2024 Rehearsal Possibilities (subject to change):

• Aspen Elementary School, Mondays 4:45-5:45pm
• Aspen Community School, Day TBD 4:30-5:30pm
• Basalt Elementary School, Wednesdays 3:45-4:45pm
• Basalt Elementary School, Tuesdays 5-6pm
• Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork, TBD
• Crystal River Elementary School, Thursdays 5:30-6:30pm
• Sopris Elementary School, Tuesdays 5:15-6:15pm
• Glenwood Springs Elementary School, Thursdays 5:15-6:15pm
• Glenwood Springs Elementary School, Fridays 4:30-5:30pm
• Mariachi Group, Glenwood Springs Elementary School, Fridays 5:30-6:30pm

 

PLACEMENT AUDITION and STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY

Placement Audition

To accurately access the current playing level of Chamber Music Lab registrants, place students in an ensemble with other students playing at a similar level, and assign students to a coach and a private lesson teacher who can best meet their needs, we require all Chamber Music Lab participants to submit a Placement Audition Video.

Within one week of registration, please send us a video that includes the following:

• A piece you have prepared to a performance-ready level (and ideally that you have worked on with your private lesson teacher) that best demonstrates your current playing level
  • Does not need to be memorized. A portion of a piece is fine, as long as it's a representative sample of your best playing.
• G-Major scale, using your best tone production and intonation
  • One or two octaves, your choice. This is your chance to show us how beautifully you can play, so be sure to take your time!

 

Student Responsibility

Participation in Chamber Music Lab requires a high level of commitment and understanding of the following expectations:

• Chamber Music Lab participants are expected to practice consistently outside of ensemble coachings to make sure they can independently play their assigned parts. 
  • Students will determine a practice schedule with their private lesson teacher. As a general rule, students should aim for least 30 minutes of focused practice per day, at least five days per week. Daily practice is highly encouraged.
  • It's always more fun when everyone comes to coachings prepared so that Chamber Music Lab coaching sessions can be spent making music together, after the individual practicing has happened at home.
• Chamber Music Lab participants are expected to take advantage of all private lessons included in the program.
  • We recommend that Chamber Music Lab students are enrolled in weekly or bi-weekly private lessons throughout the school year. The three lessons included in tuition are intended to get students started in private lessons.
• Chamber Music Lab participants are expected to attend coachings regularly, with no more than TWO excused absences per semester.
  • Please note that this is a 20+-week program and that students should commit to the entire series of chamber music coachings. 
  • Because chamber music typically involves only one student per part, absences can be detrimental to ensemble success. 
  • Conflicts and emergencies should be communicated to the Chamber Music Lab coaches or AMFS Education team as soon as they are known, or at a minimum, at least 24 hours before each coaching.
  • If students have excessive absences or any unexcused absences, they may be asked to leave the Chamber Music Lab program.

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM COST: $400

Cost includes coachings, ensemble repertoire, and three hours of private lessons (lessons alone are valued at $240!). This program is heavily subsidized by AMFS donors. Without their support, the actual program cost would be more than $800 per student. Thank you, donors!

Students are responsible for the cost of an instrument (either a rented or purchased violin/viola/cello). Some AMFS-owned scholarship instruments are available.

• February 23, 2024 – AfterWorks Solo & Ensemble Recital | Harris Concert Hall at 5:30pm
  • Select ensembles invited to participate based on work in Chamber Music Lab coachings
• Friday, May 3, 2024 – Beginning Strings & Chamber Music Lab Showcase | Harris Concert Hall at 5:30pm

*Chamber Music Lab ends in late May or once the ensemble has completed their coaching series

A limited number of tuition scholarships are available to students who demonstrate significant financial need. Additionally, a limited number of instrument scholarships are available to students who are unable to afford the cost of purchasing or renting a violin/viola/cello to use an AMFS-owned instrument while enrolled in Chamber Music Lab. Payment plans for Chamber Music Lab tuition are available and can be requested during the acceptance process.

AfterWorks Refund Policy

Once a student has registered for an AfterWorks program (Beginning Strings, Chamber Music Lab, Lead Guitar, or Maroon Bel Canto Choirs), the following policy will apply to tuition refunds if that student chooses to leave the AfterWorks program:

• Before first class/rehearsal: full tuition refund
• Between first and third class/rehearsal: half tuition refund
• After third class/rehearsal: no refund

 

Registration opens September 1 and closes October 6. Late registrations may be accepted if space is available, but will incur a $25 late registration fee to cover delayed application processing.

Check back in August 2024 for the 2024-2025 school year!

To learn more, please contact:

Lindsay Bobyak, Manager of Education and Community Programs
Email | 970 205 5055

 

Support for AMFS Education and Community Programs comes from Nancy Swift Furlotti and the Pettit Foundation, Dana and Gene Powell, Alpine Bank, Nancy Meinig - Meinig Family Foundation, the Fisher Family Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Edith Kallas and Joe Whatley, Golub Family Foundation, El Pomar Foundation, and Hensley and James Peterson.