August 22, 2018

Expands Pre-College Chamber Music Program: Every Child Deserves World-Class Training


Photo by Robert Muller
Photo by Robert Muller

In a move that strengthens the Cleveland Institute of Music position as a national leader in chamber music education, Prep expands its Pre-College Chamber Music Program beginning this fall. New faculty members including members of The Cleveland Orchestra have been recruited as coaches, more woodwind and brass players can now participate, and spring semester-only enrollments are now possible for those with marching band commitments in the fall.  

As America pre-eminent classical conservatory, has assembled an enviable roster of faculty-artists who excel at performing and teaching, says President & CEO Paul W. Hogle. With our second century in sight, we are leveraging our strengths our distinguished faculty, master classes with visiting artists, and our conservatory students themselves to expand access to high-quality chamber music training for pre-college students. This realizes  mission to prepare students to fulfill their dreams and potential because, regardless of their career goals, every child deserves world-class training.  

This fall, violinist and pianist Carolyn Warner  who serves as director of the program welcomes to the coaching roster Jeanelle BrierleyMeghan Guegold, Conservatory faculty member Stanley Konopka and Yun-Ting Lee. These four gifted musicians join artistic colleagues Minju KimSi-Yan Darren LiDaniel PereiraGerardo Teissonnière and Shuai Wang and together comprise the core chamber music faculty at the pre-college level. Warner, Konopka and Lee are full-time members of The Cleveland Orchestra, and Brierley is a regular performer with the ensemble.  

The expanded program is also open to woodwind and brass players who wish to participate in chamber music; hornist Guegold brings significant experience with both woodwind and brass chamber music, offering more opportunities for these students to explore the repertoire. The new spring semester-only enrollment option is designed for those with marching band commitments as well as those who need extra time this fall to prepare for auditions.  

All students whether they are considering music school, business school or medical school  benefit from a chamber music experience, explains Hogle. Musicians who study chamber music develop an enhanced ability to listen and hear every detail of the music. It puts a greater responsibility on the players to know how their part fits within the overall musical idea by listening intently to their fellow players. It is the quintessential expression of a team, and that teamwork translates to every career path. 

Prep Pre-College Chamber Music students will participate in exclusive master classes including one given by Stephen Rose, head of violin department and principal second violin of The Cleveland Orchestra  and will have access to additional master classes led by professional chamber musicians touring to Cleveland and working with  conservatory students.  

Unique to Prep, members of  internationally-recruited conservatory student body will also serve as mentors to the Pre-College chamber music students, providing a valuable perspective on personal practicing and preparation, managing group rehearsal time and studying music at the collegiate level.  

Interested students can now audition for the fall; visit cim.edu/prep for more information. Auditions for the spring semester will be held in December and January; email cim-preparatory@cim.edu to request a reminder later this fall.