Presenting 9SCM's
STRING QUARTET INTENSIVE
YOUTH PROGRAM FOR GRADES 8-12
Welcome
9th Street Chamber Music is proud to present our Youth String Quartet Intensive for intermediate and advanced musicians in grades 8-12.
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The 9th Street Quartet makes up the core faculty of this program along with other highly qualified professional performers and educators in the DC area. Now going into their 8th year working together as quartet coaches, their depth of knowledge and experience is unparalleled in our region.
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Musicians of the String Quartet Intensive experience the challenge of learning individual parts to perform with their string quartets drawing from the vast string quartet canon. Each participant makes a commitment to the other members of their quartet to be present and prepared. They learn the skills to collaborate, generate their own musical ideas, and communicate with each other in a respectful way. String quartets are self-conducted, which means that SQI musicians have complete independence in performance!
Program Highlights
Coachings
9SCM holds weekly coachings for each group from 7-9pm on Monday evenings September-May at St. George's Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA. Performing chamber music at a high level requires mastery of not only all of the fundamental aspects of our playing: intonation, rhythm, tone, style, and expression, but also of the intangibles that bring performances to life. Members will explore how to communicate and cooperate through performance, and how to balance leadership, independence, and support to bring self-led performances to life.
performances
String Quartet Intensive musicians perform multiple times throughout the season, including three concerts held at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Arlington. Our musicians are strongly encouraged to explore additional ways to engage with members of our community through performance.
Guest Artists
Service Project
An important part of 9SCM's mission is to create new ties between different segments of our local community through the music we love. To help foster this in the next generation, members of the String Quartet Intensive plan and execute a Service-oriented performance or project with their group. The faculty helps to generate ideas and make connections as needed, but our intention is for this to be a student-led project that helps to build responsibility and character in our members!
Each year, 9SCM is proud to present opportunities for our members to interact with world-renowned guest artists. Whether through master classes, guest lectures, or other interactive events, 9SCM values the experience that comes from interacting with premier artists in our field. For our first two seasons, our guest artists were the Miro Quartet, and the Thalea Quartet!
String Quartet Intensive clinic
The String Quartet Intensive Clinic is a full-day weekend event, which features various quartet-enrichment activities, quartet rehearsals, and the return of our hit "round-robin reading" program. The String Quartet Intensive Clinic is a fun way to build chamber music skills in a camp-like environment, unique among other area music programs!
Members of the 2021-22 String Quartet Intensive work with the celebrated Miro String Quartet in a Guest Masterclass
23-24 Program Fees
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Annual Membership Fee: $1025
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Audition Fee (non-refundable) : $45
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Need-based assistance may be available. Inquire directly with 9SCM
FAQ's
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What level of music do participants work on?
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We only program works originally written for String Quartet, and every season we try to incorporate works from the three main time-periods for the genre: Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary for all of our ensembles. You won't perform any arrangements or pedagogical repertoire in our program unless it fits a very specific performance theme.
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How many concerts will I perform?
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9SCM holds three public performances for our student ensembles, as well as additional performances in various community-centered venues. This way, students can give multiple performances of their pieces while simultaneously bringing their music to a more diverse audience.
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Can I request to play with my friends or bring a pre-formed group?
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Yes! Chamber music is all about collaboration, and the experience is only amplified by performing with your friends. While we can't guarantee placement with your friends, we very highly prioritize member personalities when forming our groups, and would do everything we can to facilitate that. Pre-formed groups are welcome to audition and slots can be scheduled by contacting 9SCM directly.
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Do you ever accept advanced 7th graders?
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On occasion, if we have a specific opening for a student in one our younger quartets, we will listen to 7th grade candidates based on the recommendation of their teacher. It is essential that these young members be mature and responsible young musicians as well as being fully committed to their group and this program.
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Do you offer payment plans?
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We are happy to work with you to find an arrangement that works. If you are in need of financial assistance, whether that be in the form of a payment plan or a partial/full scholarship, please be in touch directly with 9SCM. Our goal is to ensure the participation of every qualified candidate regardless of financial means.​