Chamber and the Art of Communication

What separates chamber music from, say, orchestral music? According to Director of Chamber Music Peter Warsaw, “The dynamic between instruments in a chamber ensemble is a little bit like the dynamic between men and women. A lot of communication and compromise are required to find common ground, but there will never be complete agreement.”

Chamber musicians practice individually and in groups to polish their interpretations, and each day, they coach each other in seminar-style classes.

As they prepare for their winter concert, tremendous responsibility lies on each musician. “The great thing about chamber is that we can develop our own talents individually, since we are the only one playing our part,” commented freshman violinist Tabata Viso.

A key part of chamber music is teamwork. Coming together to interpret a piece of music presents substantial personal challenges.

“I am looking forward to showing people how hard we have worked to achieve this level,” said flutist Jae Baek ’13.

The concert will include students from the wind ensemble as well as from chamber music, totaling about thirty-five to forty performers. The program features “classical western” music composed between 1600 and 1980.

Chamber music is, in the end, a learning experience. According to Dr. Warsaw, “It promises a lifetime of learning, and its challenges are infinitely fascinating.”

The chamber concert will be in the Choral Room on March 2 and 3 from 7:00-8:00 p.m.