Lura Johnson, Piano
Steinway Artist, Resident Pianist of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Principal Pianist of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra
Chamber Music for Adults
Are you an aspiring adult amateur chamber musician looking for others like yourself to make music with? Perhaps you played seriously when you were younger and are looking to reconnect with music after choosing another career path?
Chamber music — small ensembles performing with one person to a part and without a conductor — offers some of the most challenging, rewarding, and memorable musical experiences a student will have. Whether you are an advanced musician with chamber music experience or an intermediate player with less experience, this course is designed to match you with others of similar level to learn classical repertoire.
This course consists of a weekly chamber music coaching (lesson with one of our faculty members) and a private chamber music rehearsal (without instructor).
“I hadn’t really delved into chamber music for many years. It was so special to be able to return to it as part of this community of warm and passionate players and to receive such high-quality coaching.”
Fall / Spring
Midway through the 16 week semester, all the groups gather together for an evening studio class, which is an informal opportunity for them to play for each other and receive comments from all three coaches, as well as their peers. All groups are also invited to perform in a non-mandatory recital that is held in one of Peabody’s concert halls and is open to the public.
NEW for Fall 2023! A faculty chamber music recital will showcase our talented, professional coaches, allowing students to observe up close the chamber music skills they are learning.
Summer
This course is an abbreviated version of the Fall and Spring semesters, with just 6 chamber music coachings (lesson with one of our faculty members) and 6 private chamber music rehearsals (without instructor) scheduled between late May and late August. There is no studio class during the summer, and the course does not conclude with a performance. This shorter, less intensive summer session is ideal for students who are new to the program or are trying out a new group.
Each session is scheduled at the Downtown campus or Towson campus at a day and time mutually convenient for all group members and the coach.
Individuals and pre-formed groups are encouraged to apply. Private study at the Preparatory is not a pre-requisite for participation.
INTERVIEW AND AUDITIONS ARE REQUIRED PRIOR TO REGISTRATION
Contact Lura Johnson at [email protected] for more information on how to set up an interview and audition.
Faculty
Our faculty are highly accomplished performing professional musicians:
Renate Falkner, Viola
Faculty at the Peabody Institute, Faculty at the George Mason University School of Music
Ismar Gomes, Cello
Cellist with the Virginia and Richmond Symphonies, Faculty at Gettysburg College
“I so appreciate having my ear developed to hear finer detail, my sense of standards raised, awareness of repertoire and composers new to me, not to mention the joy that we have shared at all our sessions, in between moments of hilarity and challenge. It’s very, very inspiring to hear what everyone else is doing, pushing their own angst out of the way to share music in a public setting with us all.”
