Course Descriptions
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Chamber Music
6CHB 181/182 (I, II-1 cr. each, 2-semester course) Intro to String Quartet Seminar
Required of all first-year violin, viola and cello performance majors, this course serves as in introduction to chamber music at the Eastman School. Taught by the members of the Ying Quartet, classes consist of individual coachings, masterclasses, lectures, and demonstrations and cover a wide range of topics foundational to ensemble playing. Quartets and repertoire are assigned by the instructors and rotate by unit to cover the major stylistic periods from Haydn and Mozart through the 20th century. Each unit culminates in a public class recital.
6CHB 181/182 (I, II-1 cr. each, 2-semester course) Intro to Woodwind Quintet Seminar
Required of all first-year flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and horn performance majors, this course addresses the specific technical demands of chamber music performance while providing an overview of the literature for this important ensemble. Groups and repertoire are assigned by the instructor, and ample performance opportunities are provided. Topics include developing group precision of intonation, rhythm, articulation, dynamics, and balance; rehearsal and communication techniques; how to make interpretive and stylistic decisions as an ensemble; tone production; and performance skills including stage deportment.
6CHB 232, 233 (I, II-2) Voice Repertoire-Junior & Senior
A two-semester chronological survey of the most important vocal repertoire for the recital & concert stage from Caccini to the present. In-class performance is emphasized in combination with outside listening & reading. Languages covered include Italian, English, German, & French. At the discretion of the applied teacher & the advisor, qualified students may begin CHB 232 in the sophomore year. Designed for applied majors in voice. Open to other majors by permission.
6CHB 277 (I, II-1) Baroque Chamber Music
Study and performance of the chamber music repertoire of the 17th and 18th centuries for strings, winds, harpsichord, voice and organ. The class is divided into several smaller ensembles with weekly coachings. Four specific topic classes regarding style and interpretation are also included. Performers on both modern and period instruments are welcome. Keyboard players must be able to play from figured bass; harpsichord experience is preferred. (Prerequisite for keyboard players: KBD 443 Keyboard Continuo Realization or permission of the instructor.)
6CHB 281, 282 (I, II-1 cr. each, 2-semester course) Chamber Music Performance
Chamber Music Coaching and performance of chamber music for strings, harp, piano, winds and brass. Includes Music for All performances as well as in-house public performances. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite for pianists: ACM 201/202.
6CHB 284 (I-1) Vocal Chamber Music (undergraduate)
Introduction to basic vocal chamber repertoire. Attention given to ensemble rehearsal techniques, tuning and style. Repertoire chosen to suite voice types registered. Voice teacher's approval required for singers. Instrumentalists approved by chamber music coordinator.
6CHB 291, 292 (I, II-1 cr. each, 2-semester course) Advanced Chamber Music
Open to ensembles who have successfully completed at least one 281-282 sequence together and only by recommendation and invitation of the chamber music faculty. The course will be custom-designed for each individual ensemble and may include special performance opportunities or self-designed performance projects, cover special topics, or involve interdepartmental activities. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
6CHB 401 (I-2) Instrumental Sonata and Duo Repertoire
Intensive study of special topics from the instrumental & piano duo repertoire, selected at the beginning of the semester by the class. Open to graduate pianists, strings, & winds. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit. Offered every other year, alternating with 6CHB 403.
6CHB 402 (I, II-2) Voice Repertoire for Pianists
An in-depth examination of specific areas of the vocal non-operatic repertoire, including such topics as Baroque style and ornamentation, twentieth-century repertoire, musical settings of a particular poet, comparative settings of the same poem(s), & neglected repertoire. The class meets concurrently with CHB 431 or CHB 432 & addresses the repertoire from the dual perspective of singer & pianist. Required of master's degree students majoring in Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music. Elective for DMA students in the Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music degree. Open to other keyboard majors with permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit.
6CHB 403 (I-2) Piano Chamber Music Repertoire
Intensive study of chamber music repertoire in a performance class setting. The course is team-taught by 2 members of the performance faculty. Up to 8 pre-formed groups are accepted. Each of them must include a pianist, and must submit their repertoire at the time of registration. Available to pianists, strings, winds & voice. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit. Offered every other year, alternating with 6CHB 401.
6CHB 431, 432 (I, II-1) Voice Repertoire, Masters Level
A two-semester chronological survey of the most important vocal repertoire for the recital & concert stage from Caccini to the present. CHB 431 encompasses early Italian, English, French and German art song up to circa 1900. CHB 432 continues from circa 1900 on and includes French melodie and a sampling of Spanish and Russian songs. In-class performance is emphasized in combination with outside listening & reading. The class addresses the repertoire from the dual perspectives of singer & pianist. Required of master's degree students majoring in performance & literature-voice (two semesters) & in piano accompanying & chamber music (as CHB 402-I or II). Open to other majors by permission of the instructor.
6CHB 481, 482 (I, II-1 cr. each, 2-semester course) Graduate Chamber Music
Coaching & performance of chamber music for strings, piano, winds, & brass. Includes Music for All performances as well as in-house public performances. May be repeated for credit.
6CHB 483 (I,II 1) Special Projects in Chamber Music
No longer offered as of fall 2008. This information is offered for reference purposes only.
For graduate students seeking a one semester opportunity to explore one piece in depth. May be repeated for credit. Open to piano, strings, woodwinds and brass.
6CHB 484 (I-1) Vocal Chamber Music (graduate)
Introduction to basic vocal chamber repertoire. Attention given to ensemble rehearsal techniques, tuning and style. Repertoire chosen to suite voice types registered. Voice teacher's approval required for singers. Instrumentalists approved by chamber music coordinator.