Festival Programs & Classes

As part of The Pierrot Chamber Music Festival, all participants are carefully placed in ensembles that study and perform standard and new chamber music repertoire. All chamber ensembles are coached by The Pierrot Consort, Festival Faculty and Special Guest Artists. With the exception of students, all chamber music ensembles meet for coaching each afternoon (Monday through Friday). Ensembles perform at the Friday Chamber Music Performance Classes and the chamber orchestras and selected ensembles perform in the concerts during the final week. The chamber music ensembles meet for coachings, masterclasses, and perform on the Festival Concert Series.

Artistry Program for young professionals and preformed chamber ensembles

The festival’s emphasis on young professionals and preformed chamber ensembles is to present an opportunity to showcase existing talent and to further their careers. There are opportunities during the festival for performance at pre-concert recitals and/or in the Festival’s Mini-Performances. Artistry Program participants also will have the opportunity to interact with The Pierrot Consort, Festival Artists, and special guest artists. Past guest artists have included Lawrence Dutton, violist of the Emerson String Quartet; Timothy Eddy, cellist of the Orion String Quartet; and members of the Imani Winds. There have also been opportunities to participate in educational residencies with members of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and members of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Fellowships are available.

Performance Program for college & conservatory musicians

The festival’s focus on college and conservatory-level students is to further develop their chamber music experience. Advanced chamber music repertoire in past seasons has included challenging works such as Brahms and Schumann piano quartets; Shostakovich, Ravel and Bartok string quartets; Nielsen and Barber woodwind quintets; the Stravinsky Octet; and the Poulenc Sextet for piano and winds. Chamber ensembles meet daily for coaching with individual Festival Artists and members of The Pierrot Consort. Each participant’s schedule also includes morning chamber orchestra rehearsals and master classes. Fellowships are available.