Chamber Music Challenges

After speaking with a student frustrated with their chamber ensemble this semester, I found it interesting to think about the positive and negative affects of chamber music. I think all of these are important reasons to be involved in chamber music, especially after having the opportunity time after time to hear amazing chamber groups perform and promote a musical expression just not found in many other ensembles.
The benefits of being involved in chamber music include learning repertoire and performance skills. Knowing all of the major works for brass quintet or trombone quartet will make a student that much more knowledgeable about their instrument and available music. It is also helpful when creating a balance between solo work, lesson work, major ensemble practice and rehearsals and chamber group rehearsals. Learning performance skills is important and can be difficult when only giving one solo recital a year as a student. Chamber ensembles have the opportunity to perform often and for various events. The eye contact, personal trust, cueing, awareness of other player needs, public speaking, blowing and working into a performance with music and even the set up of the ensemble are all things you learn with chamber music. So many things we take for granted in the Band or Orchestra are done by "Us", in chamber music. It is also important to learn how to be flexible between rehearsal space and performance space. The trombone quartet or brass quintet will sound very different in the hall compared to a practice room.
The importance of teamwork in all of these example can not be overlooked. However, this can also present a challenge. Personnel issues along with the different levels of students can be frustrating. Even so, students need to learn how to work through these issues, they will be dealing with them for thereat of their careers.
Other challenges are presented in chamber work, including the fact that so much chamber music is over the heads of young, high school and early college students. Those students will struggle to keep up, but will eventually be fine, with some help and support from the group. The ensemble may struggle with keeping regular coaching or rehearsals, all to often some of these chamber groups at college tend to fall away as soon as major ensembles have concerts or concerto season hits, they must be kept going!
Chamber music is so different from the major ensemble and solo work we as brass instruments get to do. Taking the time to participate is important. Players will grow through chamber music; musically, decision making maturity, using a professional code, having goals for challenging music and being self driven without a conductor.
Use the chamber music opportunity to be a better brass musician!