The New York Youth Symphony’s Chamber Music Program (CMP) was founded in 1983 to foster the growth of musicians in an intimate setting. Over 2,000 students between the ages of 12-22 have participated in the CMP since its inception and it has become one of the most comprehensive training programs in the country for strings, winds, brass, and piano.
The CMP combines high standards, immersion in contemporary and core repertoire, and performances at venues including Scandinavia House, Frederick R. Koch Foundation Townhouse, MET Museum and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, with development of extra-musical skill sets such as public speaking, networking, and advocacy to ensure students’ growth as both musicians and citizens.
Under the direction of violinist Dr. Lisa Tipton, approximately 100 students each season participate in competitive auditions adjudicated by CMP faculty, and form ensembles including string quartets, piano trios, woodwind and brass quintets, and more. The ensembles choose their repertoire in consultation with their coach, rehearse independently, and receive regular coachings every other week. Bi-annual assessments monitor each ensemble’s progress.
Participants in the CMP have the opportunity to play for professional world class chamber players in masterclasses. Recent masterclass guests have included:
Integral to curriculum of the Chamber Music program is introducing and promoting repertoire by composers from diverse culture where student ensembles select at least one piece by a composer from a background that has been historically underrepresented in the classical music sphere – including Black, Latinx, Arabic, Asian, Indigenous, Middle Eastern, LGBTQIA+, and Women – and perform it throughout the season.
Our end of the year Chamber Music Festival – is a three-day celebration of chamber music and a culmination of all the students hard work over the year.
Scandinavia House – April 20, 2026 at 7pm
Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center – April 27, 2026 at 7pm
Weill Concert Hall – May 4, 2026 at 7:30pm
There is so much amazing chamber music by composers of underrepresented backgrounds: Lithuanian Jewish and Peruvian Chinese composer Gabriela Lena Frank, whose background spans three continents! Learning about these composers has reaffirmed my appreciation for the CMP’s unsung requirement.
Teddy Liu
CMP Pianist
The NYYS CMP isn’t just a pre-college education in playing chamber music; it cultivates proactivity, entrepreneurship, kindness, and a deep sense of responsibility to oneself and to a team.
Sulliman Tekalli
Concertmaster Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Orpheus, CMP Coach
Thinking of my daughter's first year still brings a smile to my lips and tears to my eyes. As an only child, she began unsure and tentative, but year by year, CMP helped her learn not just to play in an ensemble, but to truly listen, connect, and grow with others.
Mihyun Kim
CMP Parent
Ensembles comprised of strings, winds, brass, guitar, harp, and piano meet bi-weekly from October through April for individualized coaching sessions with a staff of outstanding professional musicians. Current CMP coaches include:
Photo Credit: Izzy Madover
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