MusicDr. Richard Naill, Director
The Colburn Chamber Music Institute offers one of the most comprehensive and intense chamber music learning experiences at the pre-college level of any music school in North America. Students are coached weekly by members of Colburn’s nationally acclaimed faculty. Visiting international performing artists and ensembles frequently give master classes to student ensembles. Ensembles from the institute have been prizewinners in numerous competitions including the Coleman Chamber Music Competition and the Young Artists Peninsula Music Festival, and have appeared on the nationally syndicated Public Radio International series, From the Top. Ensembles perform regularly on the School’s Friday Night Recital series, and in the School’s outreach program, Musical Encounter. Each year Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the management of the radio program Sundays Live choose a select number of ensembles to perform on their weekly series, broadcast live on KMZT from the Bing Theater at the LACMA. At the end of each school year a Chamber Music Gala held in Zipper Hall showcases the Institute’s entire program.
The Chamber Music Institute is directed by Dr. Richard Naill. Chamber ensembles are assigned to coach with various faculty members depending on openings in their individual teaching schedules.
An audition is required for enrollment each fall, for both new and continuing students. The same audition that serves for larger ensembles is used for enrollment in chamber music and the Honors Chamber Music program; a separate audition is held for pianists.
Chamber groups are formed in September after ensemble auditions on the basis of performance levels, ages, and compatibility of schedules. A particular goal of group assignment is matching the levels of the students in each group. Levels range from intermediate to very advanced. Note that the number of students enrolled in the Chamber Music Institute is limited; students studying privately at the School are given priority in assignments.
In 2003 the Colburn Chamber Music Institute introduced the Honors String Quartet and Trio Scholarship Program. Highly gifted students are chosen by audition to participate. These students form groups that are coached by Chamber Music Director Dr. Richard Naill. The ensembles receive two to three hours per week of coaching covering a diverse cross section of repertoire. The ensembles are showcased at a number of select performance venues, culminating in a full-length broadcast on KMZT’s Sundays Live program at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The program targets the most advanced students at the pre-college level who are willing to commit to an intense learning and performing experience..