How do I register for chamber music?

This is a two-step process. First, students should enroll in the course online. There is no registration code required. Please select your appropriate instrument area (i.e., Strings, Winds, Brass) and year level (i.e., freshman/sophomore, junior/senior, or graduate student). The next step is the most important one! Students must submit either the Pre-formed Group Enrollment Approval Form or the Individual Chamber Music Enrollment Request Form to the Chamber Music Coordinator, Dr. Meta Weiss. Please only submit ONE of these forms. Forms are due by Friday at 5pm in Week 1 of classes. Students that do not submit one of these forms by this deadline will be removed from the course prior to the drop deadline.

What is the deadline to submit the Pre-formed Group Enrollment Approval Form or Individual Chamber Music form?

The deadline is Friday at 5pm of Week 1 of classes for each semester.听 Students that do not submit one of these forms by this deadline will be removed from the course prior to the drop deadline.

Can I submit an incomplete form and still participate in Chamber Music?

No. All information and appropriate signatures must be on the form at the time of submission, and forms must be submitted prior to deadline, Friday at 5pm of Week 1. If you need help, please contact the Chamber Music Coordinator prior to the deadline!

How many chamber music course credits to I need to complete my degree?

Below is a list of credits hours needed based on instrument area and degree. Please keep in mind that you are welcome to participate in Chamber Music after you have completed the requirement.

  • Strings *except classical guitar
    • Bachelor of Music: 3
    • Master of Music: 0
  • Winds
    • Bachelor of Music: 3
    • Master of Music: 0
  • Brass
    • Bachelor of Music: 4
    • Master of Music: 2
  • Piano
    • Bachelor of Music: 2 (fulfills "Ensemble Elective" requirement)
    • Master of Music: 0

Can I participate in chamber music if I am not actually enrolled in the course?

Yes, but you will still need to submit one of the two required forms (Preformed Group or Individual) to the Chamber Music Coordinator prior to the deadline (Friday of Week 1 at 5pm). If for some reason you are unable to enroll in the course due to something like credit overload, please contact the Chamber Music Coordinator.

Can I participate in chamber music if I do not already have a group?

Yes; you must enroll online and submit the Individual Chamber Music Enrollment Request Form to the Chamber Music Coordinator prior to the Friday of Week 1 deadline. If you are new to the College of Music or have not yet participated in Chamber Music, please also plan to play a Chamber Music audition in the Fall so the Chamber Music Coordinator can get to know you. Every effort will be made to place you in a group. However, sometimes it is not possible, and in this case, you will be notified and removed from the course prior to the drop deadline.

Does submitting the Chamber Music Individual Request Form guarantee that I will be placed a group?

Unfortunately it does not. Every effort is made to accommodate all individuals, but sometimes it is simply not possible to place everyone in a group. If you would like to be guaranteed to be in a chamber ensemble, please plan ahead and discuss with your teacher and the Chamber Music Coordinator ahead of time (read: at least a semester!) about appropriate repertoire and personnel, and then submit the Pre-formed Group Enrollment Approval Form instead.

What should I do if I am new to the College of Music and don鈥檛 know anyone yet?

At the start of every year, there is a Chamber Music Orientation and Reading Party. You should plan on coming to this! You will learn about how the program works, what the requirements are, and most importantly you will be able to meet and read with other people who are also looking for groups! It is not a good idea to agree to play in a chamber group with people who you do not know at all--you should first make sure that you are compatible in your playing ability, chamber music experience, and of course your personalities! The Chamber Music Orientation and Reading Party is a great way to figure this out, and of course you are also encouraged to read chamber music outside of this event.听

The other option is to sign up for Chamber Music as an individual and play a Chamber Music audition in the Fall. While it is not a guarantee that you will be placed in a group, every effort is made to ensure that as many individuals as possible are placed in appropriate groups.听

You should also be in touch with the Chamber Music Coordinator and your teacher to discuss your plans regarding Chamber Music.

What should I do if I have been placed in a group but do not think I will have time for chamber music this semester?

Never do this! By submitting the Individual Chamber Music Request Form, you are committing yourself to a chamber music group for the entire semester. It is like a contract, and if you are placed in a group, you are then committed to that group. Please do not let down your fellow group members! If you are not sure you will have time for a chamber group, please talk to the Chamber Music Coordinator before registering for the course and submitting the form.

Can I submit the Pre-formed Group Form if I have an almost-complete group?

Possibly; please contact the Chamber Music Coordinator first to discuss this.

Are duos allowed in Chamber Music?

No. Because there are so many students who want to participate in Chamber Music, we do not allow duos as part of the course. This is not because duos are not chamber music (they are!), but rather because there are simply not enough coaching hours to accommodate duos.

Am I allowed to play in more than one group?

Playing a group is a large time commitment, and most students will not be able to manage playing in more than one group on top of all of their other commitments. However, if you feel you are able to be fully invested in more than one group, please contact the Chamber Music Coordinator to discuss this possibility.

I am not receiving emails from Dr. Weiss and cannot see the Canvas Chamber Music page on my dashboard. What should I do?

Please contact the Chamber Music Coordinator (Dr. Meta Weiss at meta.weiss@colorado.edu) immediately if this is the case!

Are there Chamber Music auditions in the Spring?

There are no Chamber Music auditions in the Spring. This means that if you are planning to participate in Chamber Music as an individual in the Spring and are either a new student or are not known to the Chamber Music Coordinator (Dr. Meta Weiss), then you must do a Chamber Music audition in the Fall. This is so that Dr. Weiss can get to know you and the other students in order to form appropriate groups.

How can my group perform for an outreach concert?

Groups that are recommended by their chamber music coaches will have the opportunity to play outreach concerts. If your group would like to perform in an outreach concert or event, please first speak with your coach and discuss if you are ready. Outreach concerts can be organized at any point in the semester for groups who are ready and would like an opportunity to perform and connect with the community. Generally groups who are working very quickly and would like to perform more than their allotted time for the Showcase Concerts will request to play in an outreach concert. You just need your coach鈥檚 approval, and the Chamber Music Coordinator and Community Engagement Coordinator will help to organize an opportunity for you. You are also welcome to organize your own outreach opportunities. Please let the Chamber Music Coordinator know about these!

Will my group perform in a Chamber Music Showcase Concert?

Yes! All groups are required to perform in one Showcase Concert per semester. The dates are published at the beginning of the semester. Around the middle of the semester, the Chamber Music Coordinator will send out a sign-up form for every group to complete. This will include program information as well as any date requests. Because of the large number of groups performing, you may not be able to play complete works, but you may submit as much music as you like. If your group is unable to perform everything on the Showcase Concert, you may always request to play in an outreach concert (see above).

What is the Chamber Music concert attendance requirement?

As a participant in the course, you are required to attend two (2) Chamber Showcase concerts and one (1) professional chamber music concert per semester.

What concerts count as Chamber Music concerts?

Essentially any concert that is without conductor and with one player per part, including duo concerts. These can include Faculty Tuesday recitals, visiting artist recitals, chamber concerts on the CU Presents series, local chamber music series concerts in the 麻豆影院/Denver area, or even chamber music concerts on series elsewhere in the country.

What is the purpose of the Chamber Music concert attendance requirement?

Going to concerts will expose you to the vast and wonderful chamber music repertoire. These concerts are informative, educational, and often inspiring! By attending concerts, you will observe professionals and students in action and learn what makes a great chamber music performance. Most importantly, a lot of time and effort goes into the study and performance of a chamber work, and each ensemble is deserving of a supportive audience.

What is the Chamber Music 鈥淧rotected Time?鈥

Wednesday and Friday from 4-6pm is considered protected chamber music time in your schedule. This means that chamber groups will have priority in signing out a room for a rehearsal or coaching during this time. The time may also be used for performance classes, workshops, or visiting artist master classes. While nothing that happens during this time is actually required, the protected time is set aside for your group to use it to further your chamber music studies. You are highly encouraged to take advantage of this time in your schedule, so please try not to schedule other commitments during the chamber music time.

How can my group sign up to play in a Chamber Performance Class?

There will be online sign ups via the Canvas site for every semester starting at the beginning of the semester. These sign ups will close as the classes fill up, and you must sign up at least 2 weeks in advance in order to perform. If your group would like to perform in a class, each member is required to attend the entire class.

Do I have to be available for the entire Chamber Performance Class for my group to play?

Yes. This is to ensure that all of the groups that perform have an audience to perform for! You will also have a chance to see the person giving the class work with these groups and will gain insight into various aspects of chamber music study.

What is the Honors Chamber Music program?

The Honors Chamber Music program is for particularly dedicated chamber groups that wish to stay together for the whole school year. These groups can audition at the end of the Fall semester to be selected as an Honors Ensemble for the Spring semester. Honors Ensembles will be featured in various performances within CU and also outside of the University, and may include a collaboration with the composition department. Dates for the auditions and the Spring performances will be published in the Fall. Your group must be available for all of the performance dates in order to be selected as an Honors Ensemble.

Can I participate in Chamber Music on a secondary instrument?

If you have the permission of the Chamber Music Coordinator, you are welcome to participate in Chamber Music on a secondary instrument. In most cases, you must be having lessons on your secondary instrument.

Do AD and DMA students need to register for Chamber Music for their required chamber music recital requirement?

No, you do not. However, you are more than welcome to register if you would like to participate in the course, or if the other group members would like to receive chamber music credit. Please know that if you group DOES register for the course (by submitting one of the two Enrollment forms--see above), then the group must complete all of the course requirements.