Young Ensembles Concert
Applications open now
Celebrating its 28th year, the Young Ensembles Concert features exceptional chamber ensembles from middle schools in the New York City metropolitan area. As the junior division of the reputable Young Musicians Concert, this program’s mission is to refine young musical talents in the spirit of chamber music, fostering both individual growth and collaborative excellence. Selected from a competitive pool of applicants, participants receive a one-hour coaching session from CMS artists, along with a performance and stage presence workshop that will prepare them for their own performance in the Rose Studio at CMS.
PROGRAM
Coaching
Ensembles selected for the Young Ensembles Concert will receive a one-hour coaching session, in person at Lincoln Center with a CMS artist.
Performance
Selected ensembles will perform at the 28th Annual Young Ensembles Concert on May 22, 2025 at 11 am.
ELIGIBILITY
- Instrumental, vocal, or mixed ensembles no more than 12 players in size, with only one performer per part may apply.
- The program is open to students in public or private schools, but not pre-professional or community music schools.
- Schools may submit no more than three ensembles for consideration.
- All students in the ensemble must attend the same school at the time of application, as well as at the time of performance.
- All students in the ensemble must actively participate in their school music program (e.g. band, orchestra, chamber music club).
- Please limit a performing student to only one chamber ensemble application.
- The application must be submitted by the school music teacher on behalf of their students. The school music teacher must agree to serve as the sole point-of-contact between the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the student ensemble.
- Ensembles must be available for all dates to be eligible to continue in the competition.
REPERTOIRE
- Ensembles must select a single movement, or single movement work no more than 9 minutes in length.
- Works featuring theme and variation will need to perform the theme, and then adhere to timing limit of no more than 9 minutes in length.
- Arrangements or instrument substitutions will be accepted on a case-by-case basis and with prior approval by the the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Education and Community Engagement Department.
- The difficulty of the music chosen should reflect the ability of the players.
- Duos and Sonatas (piano with one instrument) should feature equally challenging parts.
- Percussion Ensembles: must be able to provide and transport their own percussion instrument(s) and equipment, if selected.
- The Handel/Halvorsen Duo and any work for two pianos will not be accepted.
- Suggested repertoire can be found using the NYSSMA Manual or NJSSE repertoire lists of instrumental and vocal music for solo and ensemble performance.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit an Online Audition Video
- The Online Audition Video will be accepted as a video submission only. Your audition video should be uploaded to either YouTube as an unlisted video or Google Drive with link sharing permissions turned on.
- Please title your video file in the following format
- School Name_Composer_Piece_Movement (e.g. Pleasantville_Brahms_Trio in A minor_Movement 1)
Media Release Form
- All application submissions must include Media Release Forms signed by the parent/guardian of each student musician. The PDF form will be available with the application.
IMPORTANT DATES
Feb 14, 2025, 9:00 pm | Application Deadline |
Mar 21, 2025 | Announcement of Concert Performers |
April 5–6, 2025, TBD | In-Person Coaching at Lincoln Center |
May 22, 2025 11:00 am | 28th Annual Young Ensembles Concert in Rose Studio at CMS |
Additional Information
Dates for programs are subject to change.
Contact Us
For more information please contact:
education@chambermusicsociety.org
(212) 875-5776