Chamber Music

A concert band holds a dress rehearsal on the stage in Slee Hall.

Join the Chamber Music Program

The Chamber Music Program is designed for Music Performance majors and minors, offering a focused and enriching experience in smaller instrumental ensembles. This program provides a unique platform for students to develop vital chamber music skills while exploring diverse repertoire.

Learn more about:

Learn about auditions

Why join?

Chamber music builds essential skills: communication, precision, adaptability, and artistry. You’ll rehearse closely with peers, receive coaching from faculty, and perform music that stretches your technique and imagination.

What to expect

Rehearsals are scheduled each semester after ensembles are formed. Ensembles rehearse on their own at least once per week and participate in scheduled coaching sessions.

Performances

The program features performances by various chamber groups, such as brass quintets, woodwind quintets, saxophone quartets, and mixed ensembles. Visiting guests occasionally offer lectures and workshops to enhance students' learning experiences.

Student Projects

Take the lead. Students are encouraged to pitch their own ensemble ideas and programming goals. Want to mix unusual instruments? Explore a lesser-known genre? Collaborate with dancers or visual artists? Let’s make it happen.

Auditions

Auditions are held each fall. Ensembles are created based on instrumentation and skill level, with repertoire assigned after placements. Details about audition times and expectations are shared via department email and posted on the board in Slee Hall.

Registration

UB students interested in joining the Chamber Music Program must register for one of the following courses:

  • Undergraduate: MUS 340 (2 credits)
  • Graduate: MUS 540 (2 credits)

Chamber Music Lab Ensembles

In addition to traditional quartets and trios, chamber students can participate in specialized ensembles:

  • Open! String Ensemble
    7/7/25
    No audition required. This ensemble brings together bowed and plucked instruments, embracing both traditional and global string styles in an inclusive, collaborative environment.
  • Choro Ensemble
    7/7/25
    A deep dive into Brazil’s vibrant Choro tradition, blending Afro-Brazilian rhythms and European melodies. Perform works by iconic composers and modern innovators.
  • Guitar Ensemble
    7/7/25
    A flexible group performing an eclectic repertoire with acoustic, classical, and electric guitars. Great for developing ensemble chops and stage confidence.

Contact us

For more information about the UB Chamber Music Program, please contact:

Message from the Director:

"I have a great interest in chamber music, having made my career as a chamber music performer for fifteen years. I fully realize that chamber music skills are crucial to a young musician's education. My experience in this area is substantial: I have led the Meridian Arts Ensemble for eleven years through residencies in the US and abroad, international tours, and recording projects. I have been Artist in Residence of Chamber Music at Boston University, and was Co-Director of the Atlantic Brass Quintet Seminar at Boston University's Tanglewood Institute in the Summer of 1999. For me, chamber music has been a most rewarding and enjoyable experience, and I am eager for students at UB to share in this."