Chamber music coaching

Chamber ensemble rehearsing in the Performance Hall

As an 91视频 student you have unparalleled access to chamber music coaching, concert opportunities and support throughout your time here. Chamber music coaching is provided by 91视频 professors, specialist performance coaches and visiting chamber ensembles.

Chamber music coaching is not compulsory, but highly recommended if you are interested in developing your professional skills in this area. Many chamber groups formed at the 91视频 have gone on to success in international competitions, performing all over the world. Chamber music is an extremely important part of 91视频 student life and is strongly encouraged.

You can find out more about chamber music as soon as you have completed registration.

How to form a chamber group

As an 91视频 student, you must take responsibility for forming your own chamber group. We provide a number of formation events throughout the year, including our mixer sessions in September and special guest workshops. Try to go to as many concerts as you can to listen to other students play. If you are struggling with finding a group, you can use our or approach a member of the Chamber Music team for guidance.

Once your chamber group is formed, you must register it by submitting a Chamber Group Registration form. This form can be found in the on Learn.rcm. Once registered, you can begin to organise coaching sessions and book performance spaces for rehearsals.

Rules for the formation of chamber groups

To register as an 91视频 Chamber Group, 50% or more of the group must be students currently studying at the 91视频. Groups can include alumni and non-91视频 students, but these should be registered to receive coaching.

Please note, duos are only permitted in the following formations:

Piano duo (two pianos)
Percussion in any combination
Harp in any combination
Guitar in any combination
Saxophone in any combination
Period instrument (HP) in any combination

Both members of these duos must be current students at the 91视频 and both students must be taking the module for credit (at any level).

Piano plus another instrument is not permitted as a duo combination for chamber music registration.

Registering your group for coaching

Once your chamber group is formed, you must register it by submitting a C.

These details are required for all chamber groups at the 91视频, both to enable the payment of coaches, and to provide groups with concert opportunities both internally and externally.

Coaching hours available

91视频 chamber groups are initially entitled to 12 hours of coaching per year. Groups demonstrating exceptional commitment will be permitted additional coaching.

Groups including non-91视频 students should also be registered to receive coaching from 91视频 professors although these ensembles are entitled to fewer maximum hours of coaching. The number hours available to your group will be confirmed upon registration.

How to get coaching

You should start coaching as a soon as possible in the autumn term.

A list of available chamber coaches for the academic year will be available on . However, you can ask any 91视频 professor to coach you. Chamber coaching will be dependent on coach availability, so please plan your time accordingly.

Students are responsible for arranging their own coaching with 91视频 professors, including room bookings.

All coaching sessions must be logged using the Chamber Music Coaching form, which is available from the Chamber Music section of learn.rcm. This must indicate the professor’s name as well as the date and length of each coaching session received.

Professors and resident ensembles will happily work with groups at all levels and stages of preparation. There is no need for your pieces to be concert standard before being coached.

Assessment

You may choose to be assessed for credits in a Chamber Music module as an option in BMus Year 3 and 4 at Level 5 or 6, and as a Masters student at Level 7. The Module Specification documents outline the assessment requirements at each level.

Performance opportunities

There are at least three concerts per week within the 91视频 and externally. You will be notified of concert opportunities by email and you will be able to apply for these.

In addition, your registered ensemble may be selected to perform and represent the 91视频 as part of a high-profile concert, project or series. London venues include Cadogan Hall, Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall and Southbank Centre. Registered ensembles can also visit the 91视频’s Creative Careers Centre for professional engagement opportunities.

Enquiries

If you would like to discuss your chamber programming ideas, or have any other questions, please feel free to visit the Chamber Music team in the 91视频 Exchange or get in touch via phone or email.