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, 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. Ensembles participate in master classes with world class musicians from Juilliard, Orion, Jasper, Aizuri, American, Imani Winds, Harlem and Shanghai quartets, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Sphinx, Windscape, NY Woodwind Quintet, and Orpheus, as well as many alumni, including Fred Sherry, Masumi Per Rostad, Tara O’Connor, and Linda Chesis. Master classes that are free and open to the public are held at locations including Tarisio Auctions, School for Strings, and the DiMenna Center.
The CMP also features The Unsung, created during the 2020/21 season to introduce and promote repertoire by composers from diverse culture through a series of educational videos. Now fully engrained into the curriculum, 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.
CMP performances will take place at Scandinavia House on Monday, April 29, 2024 and at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
Each chamber group will perform at two jury assessments during the season. Juries are a great way to hear the other ensembles in the program, as well as get to know the other groups & coaches at a post-jury reception.
CMP students perform for children and senior citizens at various facilities throughout the five boroughs of New York. This form of music education and exposure is vital to the future generations of students who do not receive arts education in their schools. Within the care facilities, music therapy can improve overall rehabilitation of the therapy recipients and increase their motivation to become engaged in their treatment, depending on the nature of the disability. This unique experience also enables our players to use their talents to make a difference in people’s lives.
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:
Students enjoy special evenings of sight-reading with coaches, workshops, informal performances, and social time.
Participants in the CMP have the opportunity to play for professional world class chamber players in masterclasses. Recent masterclass guests have included:
A major highlight of the CMP is the opportunity to study contemporary music. Each season, one ensemble is selected to perform the world premiere of a piece by a young American composer commissioned through the First Music program. Past commission winners include Timo Andres, Derek Bermel, Amanda Harberg, Christopher Theofanidis, and Sean Shepherd. In addition, CMP ensembles collaborate with students in the NYYS Composition Program, performing their works at the Composition Date concert at National Sawdust. See the First Music page for more information.
Each year, the Director recognizes individuals at the season’s final concert for dedication to the Program and for musical advancement. The recipient of the 2022/2023 Director’s Award was Andromeda, composed of:
Applicants should review the guidelines on this page to make sure that they can fulfill the commitment to the program before applying.
CMP auditions will be held on select dates between September 5th through September 17th at the NYYS Office at 110 West 40th Street, New York, NY. Upon completing the online application, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to schedule your audition online as well as the supplemental form, which must be completed before your audition. All auditions will be held in-person.
Applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 22. In order to participate in the 2023/2024 season, the applicant's date of birth must be no earlier than May 26, 2001 and no later than November 19, 2011. Please do not apply if your birth date falls outside of these dates as you will not be eligible for the program and we are not able to refund your application fee.
Auditions are 10 minutes long, and are heard by the CMP staff and faculty.
If you do not have a pre-formed group:
- Applicants must prepare two (2) solo movements of contrasting styles (can be from the same work). Applicants may be asked to sight-read.
If you are auditioning as a pre-formed group:
- The group must prepare one piece together.
- Pre-formed groups may audition separately, as long as they indicate they are in a pre-formed group at their audition. Applicants may be asked to sight-read.
The registration fee for the Chamber Music program is $450.
The NYYS recognizes that the cost of application and registration fees may be prohibitive for some students, and that access to technology may be a barrier to participation. Financial aid, application fee waivers, work-study, and technology funds are available to help offset these expenses. Financial need is the major consideration when awarding assistance. We ask that students seek funding through their personal networks in addition to completing the financial aid application as funds are limited. The application for financial assistance is within the main application.
Truly a wonderful program for students of chamber music, exceptionally important to a student's growth as a musician as well as a human being.
André Watts
Pianist
The Chamber Music Program of the New York Youth Symphony has established itself as one of the most well-respected ensemble music training programs in the country
Chamber Music America magazine
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