Master of Music in Chamber Music, Strings

Application deadlines are specific to degree programs. See our Graduate Admissions page for a list of all deadlines.

Designed for students seeking specialized education in the collaborative techniques, communication methods, and career/life skills needed for a chamber music career. Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in their instrument or its equivalent, along with substantial experience performing solo and ensemble repertoire.

Curriculum

The Master’s of Music in Chamber Music: Strings requires a minimum of 30 credits. Coursework to include: minimum 8 credits of major instrument minimum 8 credits of non-performance music courses minimum 4 credits String Quartet (violin, viola, cello) minimum 4 credits chosen from the following courses: Piano Chamber Music, Early Music Ensemble, Mixed Chamber Music, Chamber Music, Chamber Arts Collective, Vocal Chamber Music, Digital Music Ensemble, Electronic Chamber Music, Contemporary Directions Ensemble, Creative Arts Orchestra, Small Jazz Ensemble (double bass completes 8 credits from these courses)

Final Project:

Final Project Chamber music performance (minimum 60 min. of music): performance should include a variety of chamber music showing programmatic and stylistic depth and breadth including no more than one significant collaborative work for the student’s major instrument + piano at least two complete works at least one world premiere or alternative approved by the Chair of Chamber Music Students may elect to pursue a double-major in Chamber Music & Performance, which may be completed in two years.

Silent Advisor

Degree requirements and term-by-term layout for current students.

Faculty 


Matt Albert

Chair of Chamber Music and Associate Professor of Music

Eric Chin

Adjunct Clinical Instructor of Music

Joseph Gascho

Associate Professor of Music and Director of the Stearns Collection
Early Music Chamber Coordinator, Harpsichord

David Jackson

Professor of Music
Brass Chamber Music Coordinator, Trombone

Eric Chin

Adjunct Clinical Instructor of Music

David Halen

Chair of Strings and Professor of Music
Violin

Performance Opportunities

The thriving chamber music scene at SMTD offers students nearly limitless options to perform, innovate, and collaborate in small, self-driven, and diverse ensembles.

  • Small ensembles from the traditional to the new.
  • Mixed ensembles including any combination of strings, winds, piano, percussion, and voice
    ensembles studying different styles: roots music, improvisation, commissions, and more.
  • Chamber Arts Ensemble, an advanced course providing a nose-to-tail experience of putting on mixed media events.

Competition Opportunities

Launched in 2014, with guest judges selecting winners from groups representing the breadth of SMTD’s chamber music offerings, the Briggs Competition is open to any instrumentation/voice types in unconducted groups of 3-10 members. Every member of an entering group must be enrolled at the University of Michigan in the winter semester of the competition.