Pre-College Music Academy

String Chamber Music

Chamber music is an indispensable part of education for music students.  It uniquely requires the refined technique, critical thinking and strong musicianship skills of a soloist, as well as the leadership skills and ability to collaborate with others sensitively as an ensemble player without conductor.

Objectives:

• Promote chamber music in the state of Utah
• Raise the musical level of pre-college string students through chamber music
• Provide students an opportunity to grow through applied learning
• Offer affordable musical opportunities for students of various backgrounds
• Connect with the Southern Utah community and beyond through community outreach

Details:

• Eccles Fine Arts Center
• *7-8 chamber coachings (45 mins each session) on Saturday afternoon or a weekday that works for both students and coach per semester
• 2 chamber masterclasses with distinguished guest artists
• A tour to Salt Lake area in Fall 2026 (TBA)
• Community and final chamber concerts
• Costs: $180 per student per semester
• *Coaching times may be on a different day of the week depending on the university calendar

String Group Lessons

Program Objectives:

• Raise the musical level of pre-college string students through group lessons
• Applied learning through community outreach
• Provide affordable music lessons for students who otherwise could not afford one
• Train young leaders who will contribute to their school orchestras
• Community outreach and student recruitment for UT Music

Participants:

• Students from the Washington County School District or homeschool
• Ages 12-18
• Instruments: violin, viola, cello, and double bass
• 3-10 students per class

Curriculum:

• Fundamental technique
• Scales & etudes
• Solo pieces from Suzuki Method & beyond
• Selected ensemble pieces

Program Cost:

• $15 per student for each 45-min session
• Weekly group lessons on Saturday morning or Friday afternoon (must attend at least 5 sessions)
• Possible guest masterclasses (extra cost)
• Final student concert

Locations:

• Eccles Fine Arts Center, Room 150, 155 & 156; practice rooms in Eccles Fine Arts Center & Graff Performing Arts Building

Fall 2026

Pre-College Chamber Music

• Chamber Coaching begins – August 22
• Concert Tour & Chamber masterclass #1 (October 28) with Chamber Music Society of Salt Lake City at University of Utah
• Chamber masterclass #2 (November 14)
• Community concert – November 30
• Final concert  – December 6

Pre-College Group Lessons

• Lessons begin – September 5
• Masterclass #1 (October, TBA)
• Masterclass #2 (November, TBA)
• Final concert  – December 6

• Attendance at dress rehearsals and concert dates is mandatory for all students participating in chamber ensembles.
• Students are billed the full tuition rate regardless of attendance.  If a class is cancelled due to special circumstances, every effort will be made to reschedule.
• Students are expected to arrange and attend rehearsals in addition to the coachings
• All students are to be prepared to be a contributing member of their ensemble at every rehearsal, coaching, and class. This means coming with the necessary materials (instrument, part, score, and pencil) and being able to play their part (with fingerings and bowings marked as needed).
• Performance on the recitals is earned by regular progress towards mastery of the repertoire assigned. If an instructor feels after a few coachings that the student is not making adequate progress, the program director or faculty reserve the rights for group reassignments if necessary.