Chamber Music at Stanford

Students are encouraged to audition in Autumn Quarter to play in Autumn, Winter or Spring Quarter. 

Auditions for Winter and Spring Quarters are offered by appointment. Interested candidates should write to chambermusic [at] stanford.edu (chambermusic[at]stanford[dot]edu) for information. Students who want to audition at any time should note the following:

• One may audition as an individual or as part of a pre-formed ensemble.
• This year, everyone must audition even if you have participated in the past.
• Chamber Music requires a minimum commitment of 3 hours per week. Attendance is required at all chamber music events listed below unless prior arrangements have been made with the St. Lawrence.
• All participating Stanford students are required to enroll for Department of Music ensembles. If you are unable to enroll in Chamber Music for units, there is a process to request a permission number to register for zero units. If you need zero units, address this with your coach immediately. Those registered for zero units are expected to fulfill the same course requirements and commitments.
• Follow this link to learn more about zero-unit enrollment.

Placement is at the discretion of the St. Lawrence and dependent on several factors including the availability of suitably matched partners and coach availability.

After the audition period, successful applicants will receive an email with information regarding chamber music placement and coaching assignment. Once you know your coach, register in MUSIC 171: Chamber Music, in your coach's section.

Audition

1. Your coach is responsible for your grade and may choose to base your grade partly on attendance, commitment, and teamwork.
2. After consulting with your coach, your group may request to play in a masterclass and/or concert each quarter.
3. When your group is performing in a masterclass or concert you are expected to remain in the audience until the group immediately preceding yours performs. You are then expected to slip out quietly, tune, warm up, and be prepared to walk on stage when it is your turn. Return to the audience following your performance.

In addition to coachings and rehearsals, participation in Chamber Music at Stanford includes attendance at the events below. In week 7 of each quarter, sign-ups will be available for Showcase performance slots.

Autumn Quarter

Friday, October 17 at 12:00 p.m. — St Lawrence Legacy Series presents the Viano String Quartet (free admission)

Sunday, October 19 at 2:30 p.m. — Viano String Quartet with Singer Songwriter Vienna Teng (tickets available from St Lawrence)

Wednesday, November 5 at 12:00 p.m. — Emerging String Quartet Program presents the Poesis String Quartet (free admission)

Monday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m. — Fall Showcase I

Wednesday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. — Fall Showcase II

Winter Quarter

Monday, March 16 — Winter Showcase I

Wednesday, March 18 — Winter Showcase II

Spring Quarter

Wednesday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. — Danish String Quartet

Bing Concert Hall | Tickets available for purchase here

The Grammy-nominated Danish String Quartet joins the Danish National Girls’ Choir in combining old traditions and new music. They premiere the Stanford Live co-commission by composer and Stanford alumnus David Lang, titled in wildness, a work about the relationship between humans and mother earth. The first half of the program features folksongs and new music by American and Nordic women composers.

Wednesday April 22 at 7:30 p.m. — The Jerusalem String Quartet

Bing Concert Hall | Tickets available for purchase here

Praised for their “passion, precision, [and] warmth,” the Jerusalem Quartet’s breadth of repertoire and depth of expression have firmly established them in the string quartet tradition. Over 30 years, the ensemble has found its core in a warm, full, human sound and egalitarian balance of voices. This program includes Janáček's Kreutzer Sonata string quartet, inspired by a Tolstoy novella; a new work composed for the Jerusalem Quartet by Shulamit Ran; and Ravel's sole String Quartet with its memorable pizzicato second movement.

Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. — Pegasus Physician Writers with Brentano Quartet

Campbell Recital Hall | Free Admission

An evening of poetry read by Pegasus poets, followed by a performance of Haydn's String Quartet in C minor, Op 17 No. 4 by the Brentano String Quartet.

** Sunday May 3 at 2:30 p.m. — St Lawrence Legacy Series presents The Brentano Quartet

Bing Concert Hall | Tickets available for purchase here

The inaugural St Lawrence Legacy Series closes with the esteemed Brentano Quartet in an all-Beethoven program. Celebrated for their deep musical insight and expressive power, Brentano delivers a fitting finale to a season that celebrates the past, present, and future of the string quartet.

** Monday May 4 — Spring Showcase deadline to submit repertoire

** Monday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. — Spring Showcase I

 Note that performing in a showcase is NOT mandatory; however, showcase attendance IS mandatory, whether or not your group is performing.

Wednesday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m. — Spring Showcase II

 Note that performing in a showcase is NOT mandatory; however, showcase attendance IS mandatory, whether or not your group is performing.

** = required/mandatory events.

Any questions? Write to chambermusic [at] stanford.edu (chambermusic[at]stanford[dot]edu).