Life isn’t an audition.

Any music school can make you a better player. Our interconnected courses are built to transform you intellectually, artistically, professionally, and individually. You’ll understand the roots of your music, freeing you to take it somewhere new. You’ll see how your training broadens your options, rather than narrowing them. You'll find your voice. And you'll enter the world with the same confidence you bring to the stage.

Required Courses

Curriculum: Master of Music
Credit Total: 53

The Conservatory offers a unique program of study for violin, viola, cello, and piano leading to either a Master of Music in Chamber Music. An important aspect of this programs is the apprentice concept, under which students, faculty, and guest artists rehearse and perform together. Private instruction with a member of the Conservatory collegiate faculty in violin, viola, cello, and piano is also required.

For the Master of Music in Chamber Music, the applicant is expected to hold a bachelor's degree in music from an accredited college, university, or conservatory. Exceptional applicants for the Master of Music who hold a bachelor's degree in another area may be accepted into the Master of Music program. Existing chamber groups are encouraged to apply to the program.

Students must complete four semesters of full-time residency at the Conservatory. Students are required to participate in weekly concerts, workshops, open rehearsals, and chamber music master classes. Ensemble requirements other than ENS 602 (Chamber Music Performance) consist of four credits. Students are not required to register for any of these other ensembles in their first semester, but may choose to do so. Students will also perform in two chamber music groups per semester, in addition to performing with guest artists and in faculty concerts. Each chamber music major will receive four hours of coaching per week. Chamber Music majors may be assigned to ENS 200 Large Ensemble as determined by the Orchestra Director.

For the Master of Music degree, chamber music majors must take six of the required 12 graduate course credits (listed above) in chamber music literature.

Each student must give two recitals over the two years of the program, at least one with an emphasis on chamber music repertoire. Two juries are also required, with repertoire at the discretion of the instrumental teacher. Since the program will require each student’s full attention, the faculty reserves the right to restrict outside employment of students.