Below is an overview of the Chamber Music credits required for each of Peabody’s degree programs.
| Degree | Total Semester Hours Needed for Graduation |
|---|---|
| BM: | |
| Strings and Piano | 4 |
| Winds | 1 |
| Guitar | 2 |
| MM: | |
| Strings and Piano | 2 |
| Winds | 1 |
| Guitar | 2 |
| DMA: | |
| Orchestral Instruments, Piano, Guitar-DMA Option B (1 chamber music recital) |
2 |
| Performer’s Certificate: | |
| Orchestral Instruments, Guitar | 4-6 |
| Piano | 2 |
It is the responsibility of each student to keep track of the credits that they need to complete any degree. The Chamber Music department cannot guarantee that a person needing more than one credit in the last semester of their degree will be able to get all of the chamber music that they require.
Keep in mind that only concerts by small ensembles (without a conductor) count for attendance credit. You will not receive credit for turning in programs from concerts by conducted chamber orchestras (such as the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra).
Signing -Up and Registering for Chamber Music
YOU CANNOT REGISTER FOR CHAMBER MUSIC ON SIS.
THE ONLY WAY TO SIGN UP FOR CHAMBER MUSIC IS TO DO IT THROUGH THE DIRECTOR OF CHAMBER MUSIC BY FILLING OUT THE PROPER FORMS. ONCE CHAMBER MUSIC ASSIGNMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE, THE DIRECTOR OF CHAMBER MUSIC WILL GET YOU PROPERLY REGISTERED.
Chamber Music sign-up for the Fall Semester happens during Orientation Week and the first week of the semester. Sign-up for the Spring Semester happens at the end of the Fall Semester.
There are two ways to sign up for Chamber Music:
– Students are encouraged to form their own groups. Groups usually work best when you are playing with people who you know and like and who share your chamber music goals.
– If you have formed a group, you must fill out a Pre-Formed Group Form. This form is online. Links to this form will be included in emails from the Director of Chamber Music and can also be found on the Chamber Music page of the Peabody website, under the heading “Current Students.”
– If you have formed most of a group but are missing a player or two, you can still fill out a Pre-Formed Group Form, and the Director of Chamber Music will attempt to find appropriate people to complete your group.
– If you would like to play chamber music, but don’t have a pre-formed group, that’s okay! You can put your name on the Individual Sign-Up List and the Director of Chamber Music will attempt to place you in an appropriate group. Look for information from the Director of Chamber Music as to where this list can be found.
– Please note that there is no guarantee that the Director of Chamber Music will be able to place you in a group if you sign up on the Individual Sign-Up List. The Director of Chamber Music will only place you in a group that he thinks will be appropriate for you. Sometimes, the appropriate group does not exist. But the Chamber Music Department works hard to place as many students as possible into groups.
Pianists and Piano Ensemble
An important way for pianists at Peabody to get chamber music experience and credit is to play Piano Ensemble (two pianos or piano-four hands). The Chamber Music Department believes that this is an important experience for all pianists.
The procedures for signing up for Piano Ensemble are the same as those for Chamber Music.
Piano Audition: At the beginning of every school year there is an audition for pianists who have not yet participated in chamber music at Peabody. Pianists only need audition if they wish to play chamber music during the year, either in the fall or spring semesters. Emails will be sent by the Director of Chamber Music about signing up for an audition. Pianists should prepare two contrasting movements or pieces and they will be asked to sightread a short piece.
This is not an entrance audition for chamber music. This is just a way for the chamber music faculty to get an idea about who you are as a pianist so that they can place you appropriately, if need be.
Pianists who have pre-formed groups need not take an audition.
Chamber Music Requirements
– Chamber music groups will receive 10 hours of coaching over the course of the semester.
– Every chamber music group will give a performance at some point during the semester. Most groups will fulfill the performance requirement by playing in one of the Chamber Music Department concerts at the end of the semester. Some groups can satisfy the requirement by playing in different, approved concert. Groups may play either complete pieces OR one movement (or several movements that add up to about 10 minutes of performance time.) The group’s coach will determine whether the group has prepared sufficiently to perform a complete piece.
– Every student who is registered for chamber music must fulfill the Concert Attendance Requirement. To do so, each student must attend the following over the course of the semester:
– 1 Professional chamber music concert (this can include a faculty concert at Peabody or any public chamber music concert)
– 1 Chamber Music Department concert at the end of the semester
You do not need to add, drop or register for chamber music. If you sign up through the Director of Chamber Music, you will be properly registered.
The success of a chamber music group, and, indeed, the success of a professional musician, depends on a high degree of personal responsibility, courtesy and consideration towards one’s colleagues. Attendance is mandatory at all rehearsals and coachings. Personal emergency is the only reason to miss a rehearsal or coaching. If you must be absent for any reason, you must notify your coach and all of your colleagues in a timely manner. Failure to do so will be reflected in your grade.
It is expected that a group will convene for rehearsals 3-4 times weekly, with two meetings being the absolute minimum for adequate preparation.