The brand new summer Mason Chamber Music Intensive, July 8-12, 2019, is open to more advanced violin, viola, cello, and piano students ages 13-18. Professor June Huang, Director of Strings at Mason’s School of Music, is calling for dedicated and passionate music students to apply!
Founded by George Mason University Professor June Huang, the Chamber Music Intensive program takes place in Mason’s School of Music on the Mason Fairfax Campus (in Fairfax, VA, part of the Washington DC Metro area). Professor Huang has performed with the National Philharmonic, Harrisburg Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Wolf Trap Orchestra, Washington Ballet Orchestra, and Amadeus Orchestra. She is a frequent chamber music collaborator and has appeared in concerts with the Staunton Music Festival, Red Lodge Music Festival, Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia, and Virginia Virtuosi.
Along with rehearsals, daily sightreading sessions, and masterclasses for ensembles and soloists, a special emphasis will be placed on mental and physical health mindedness through daily movement classes with Dr. Kathy Mulcahy.
“Playing chamber music requires the perfect combination of soloistic and ensemble skills developed in private lessons and orchestra,” explained Professor Huang. “Students feel both challenged and rewarded working in small groups with faculty members. They also develop enhanced verbal and musical communication skills.”
A special treat during the week will be a performance by the Gunston Trio (pictured above) and friends. The Gunston Trio members are Mason School of Music Professors June Huang (violin), Gerald Fowkes (cello),and Dr. John Healey (piano).
“Some of my favorite components of the intensive for students to experience are playing chamber music with other serious musicians, getting to know the standard piano/strings chamber music repertoire, and forming lasting musical friendships,” said Professor Huang.
“My experience with chamber music, probably more than anything else in my life, has provided me with fantastic musical opportunities, and has also been the basis of many great friendships over the past few years,” said a former chamber music student of Ms. Huang’s.
“Chamber music is integral to a musician’s development and is also very difficult to organize during the school year,” stated Professor Huang. “During this program, students would have direct exposure to university music faculty. Music will be sent out ahead of time to allow for preparation, and all participants will perform in the final concert.”
A successful audition is required to participate in this program. In-person auditions are highly recommended. The in-person audition date is Saturday, April 27, 2019. If you are not available on the audition date, you may submit audition material via YouTube video by June 15th. The selective admissions process is designed to bring together a dedicated group of qualified young musicians who are ready to immerse themselves in a challenging but supportive chamber music experience. If that sounds like you, then sign up today (a small deposit is required) and prepare for the audition!
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