Chamber music might be intended for intimate spaces and small audiences, but it is truly a social art form.
While the discipline has been long-stigmatized as suitable only for the wealthy and educated, programs such as the The Mallarmé Youth Chamber Orchestra Summer Workshop at UNC help bring chamber music into the public eye.
Artistic Director Yoram Youngerman emphasizes the passion that such an experience can rouse.
“I think once the student learns that they’re existing in chamber music — of course if they get the right coaches — many, many kids get addicted,” he said.
Currently in its fourth year, the six-day intensive workshop, an offshoot of the MYCO year-long program, strives to foster a sense of passion for classical music among young people ages 11 to 18.
The program attracts the most elite among young musicians from the Triangle, Triad and beyond.
Attend the concerts
Time, Location: 4 p.m. today and Friday in Person Hall, 3 p.m. Saturday in Kenan Music Building
Info: www.mycomusic.org
Youth ensembles are especially effective in combating negative perceptions of chamber music because of the audiences they target. When such passion is instilled in young people, it is shared among parents, friends and family.
“Getting young people involved is the first thing,” said music coach Edward Szabo, an Eastern Michigan University professor emeritus who is in his first summer with the program. “When they share it with friends, it catches on.”
Sein An, a first-time participant in the program, related her difficulty in explaining her passion for music to her friends.
“I talk about it, but they don’t understand,” the 12-year-old violinist said.
Three days of performances, which begin at 4 p.m. today, afford participants the opportunity to share what they have learned. Seeing chamber music performed live could help bring understanding to those less acquainted with the art.
“I enjoy people and I enjoy music,” Szabo said. “Bringing the two together in a humanistic and complementary way is really my goal.”
Yale-bound Max Ramage, 18, a violinist in his fourth year with the program, said his friends react positively to his musical pursuits.
“They seem to respect it and be interested in it,” he said.
Although some might view the program with emphasis on its elite, rigorous nature, not all students treat it as a step toward a musical career.
“I don’t know if they will be professional — if they should be,” Youngerman said.
Despite the fact that collegiate music students have an incredibly difficult time finding work in music — in Youngerman’s experience, about 93 percent of students could not find work in their field after graduation — chamber music is a passion that can follow young adults for the rest of their lives.
“Chamber music is a gift for life,” he said, adding that amateur musicians can enjoy playing together.
With goals of growth and expansion, the workshop might be opened up to college students in coming years. Its staff is also working to attract more nationally recognized coaches and performers.
“I think I’ll be participating as long as I’m here,” 11-year-old pianist Nick Allgeier said.
The three student concerts that conclude the program are free and open to the public.
Students will sing in Friday’s concert under the direction of UNC’s Susan Klebanow, and Saturday’s performance will be led by UNC conductor Tonu Kalam.
Youngerman said he is optimistic about the role young musicians will play as they become more involved in the chamber music community.
“They’ll make classical music survive.”
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