I was in my first rehearsal at chamber music camp playing the Dumka from Dvorak’s Op. 51, and while I thought I was prepared, I kept losing count during long rests and arriving either a beat too early or too late. Before arriving at camp, I had practiced, numbered the measures in my part, and…

Community orchestras are one of the main places where amateur musicians connect with their community. Not only are they a meeting-place for musicians of all levels to prepare music to offer to members of their broader community, but they are also places to connect with fellow musicians and collectively approach challenging, rewarding music. There is…

There’s nothing more fulfilling as an amateur musician than playing with others, whether it’s experiencing two violins in harmony, the support of a pianist filling out the texture, or immersing yourself in the music while playing a string quartet, there are ample ways to find musical community as an amateur musician. Recently, I met up…

Preparation tips for amateur violinists, violists, and cellists heading to a chamber music workshop I still remember the experience of performing the Mendelssohn Octet at my first chamber music workshop. After three days of rehearsing with the ensemble, our group took to the stage to perform the work for the other participants. The exhilarating performance…