Chamber Music Charleston (CMC) is now accepting applications for CMC TWO, a chamber music mentoring program for accomplished student string musicians. Students will be provided with the opportunity to grow as chamber musicians while performing outreach activities, participating in masterclasses, and performing concerts.
TO APPLY:
Fill out the google form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfiT-TbwKlAvFkF754w_1iFCnOB1veEexCVNylMSbR9RyK9JQ/viewform
Application Deadline: April 29, 2022 but spots may be filled on a rolling basis. Early submission is encouraged.
In-person interview/audition and information session: Sunday, May 1 at 12noon. West Ashley Theater Center, 1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd #11, Charleston, SC 29407
CMC TWO musicians will receive:
– Coaching sessions with core musicians of Chamber Music Charleston.
– Opportunity to participate in masterclasses with guest artists
– Performance opportunities in the greater Charleston community (2-4 performances per season).
– Volunteer opportunities.
CMC TWO musicians will be required to:
– Prepare their individual parts to the best of their ability.
– Rehearse regularly with their ensemble (scheduled at their convenience).
– Attend all CMC TWO scheduled coachings and performances, participate in at least two outreach activities.
– Attend at least three CMC Ovation or Salon Series concerts
– Assist in the marketing and promotion of CMC TWO performances.
– Volunteer* with the String Buddies program at least 6 times (2-hour commitment each time, Fridays after school). More information will be available in August.
Sample outreach activities:
– Concerts for Charleston Department of Recreation after school programs.
– Concerts at nursing homes and assisted living communities.
– Participation as mentors for beginning elementary school string students (String Buddies program**).
Time commitment:
– Coachings will take place on average twice a month on Sunday mornings (at 10am, 11am or 12noon) at Charleston Stage’s West Ashley Theater Center between August and May.
– Ensembles will be required to rehearse on their own in between coachings.
– Two main public performances will be scheduled each season (one in the Fall, one in the Spring).
– Each ensemble will perform at least one outreach concert, but more can be added if the ensemble desires and if scheduling allows.
Students will be selected through in person interview and casual audition on May 1, 2022 at 12noon. Preformed ensembles are encouraged, but we also allow individuals to apply. Pre-formed ensembles are not required to have worked together in the past: the purpose of encouraging a pre-formed ensemble is that students will be able to find like-minded students with similar scheduling availability and complimentary personalities to perform and rehearse with.
For the 2022-2023 season, CMC will accept a maximum of 4 ensembles.
Through the generosity of Chamber Music Charleston sponsors, there is no fee to participate in this program, but students are required to volunteer with the String Buddies** program and attend at least 3 CMC Ovation or Salon Concerts. Additionally, CMC will cover any application and registration fees associated with possible competition (such as USC Chamber Music Day and Competition) or performance (such as the Piccolo Spoleto Rising Stars Program) that the ensemble participates in.
To learn more and to request an application, please contact Sandra Nikolajevs at sandra@chambermusiccharleston.org or visit https://www.chambermusiccharleston.org/cmc-two/
Application Deadline: April 29, 2022 but spots may be filled on a rolling basis. Early submission is encouraged.
In-person interview/audition and information session: Sunday, May 1 at 12noon. West Ashley Theater Center, 1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd #11, Charleston, SC 29407
* CMC is an approved SOA Service Organization and hours for outreach concerts and other volunteer activities may be considered for volunteer hours.
**About String Buddies:
CMC will be launching a program in September 2022 called String Buddies that pairs accomplished high school string musicians with beginning elementary/middle school string students from low income schools. The program will provide extracurricular support for students who participate in their public school’s strings program but have the dedication and drive to develop their skills outside of school instruction.
For the 2022-23 school year program, plans are being made for the program to be available to existing string students at Sanders-Clyde and/or Chicora Elementary School, with the activities taking place during after-school hours. Partnerships with other nonprofit organizations and city facilities, such as Charleston Promise Neighborhood and the St. Julian Devine Community Center, are in place to support such activities.
The String Buddies program also aims to bring an enriching cultural program to the community where the students live. Monthly or bi-monthly community concerts will take place, performed by the high school string students who are mentors in the String Buddies program (and are also members of CMC TWO, a program in which professional musicians of CMC coach high school string students in preparing repertoire from the standard chamber music literature). For the Charleston Eastside Community, these concerts will take place at the St. Julian Devine Community Center, either in the newly renovated garden or in the 3rd floor event space at the community center. For the Chicora community, a similar public location will be used. This will provide an opportunity for the younger string musicians, their families, and their neighbors, to be exposed to classical music in a family-friendly environment.