New this year to the Ridgefield location only:  We have added a chamber program for interested students from the Intermediate and Advanced level. Based on enrolled instrumentation, we will break students up into trios, quartets, or other small ensembles.  The program was begun (and will be coached) by Emily Kerr and Brandon Ye, two highly recognized young musicians and teachers.  *Chamber program only available to students enrolled in an FCSSO ensemble as a supplementary program.  You can read more about below.  

Why Chamber Music?

Chamber music is composed for a small group of musicians, each with their own part to play. The name comes from centuries ago when small groups of musicians were hired to fit a palace "chamber." It is "the music of friends," and is often described as a "musical conversation," often played just for fun when musicians gather. Playing chamber music requires special skills, musical and socially, which differ from those required to play solo or in an orchestra including.  

  • Students must learn to collaborate.  
  • All students must lead the ensemble at some point for it to come together. 
  • Students learn true responsibility, as there is only one person on a part.  If you don't do your job, the group can't perform!  No hiding in your section.
  • Intonation improves as students must take responsibility for playing in tune with the others.
  • Performance skills are enhanced.  

Dates and Times

We are all about convenience.  Chamber ensembles would rehearse from 6PM to 7:15PM each Wednesday (before Intermediate and Advanced rehearsals begin.

Registration and Cost

At this time, we are gathering information of interested students.  Depending on enrollment, we may not be able to accommodate all that are interested.  The cost of the program is $60* for the whole summer.  We will invoice you for the amount rather than charge you at the onset.   

*Chamber program only available to students enrolled in an FCSSO ensemble as a supplementary program

If you are interested in the Chamber program, please fill out the form below:

About the Coaches

Emily Kerr

Emily has been playing violin for fifteen years, studying under Shan Jiang. Throughout high school she was an active leader both in the RHS instrumental program and in the Ridgefield Middle Schools. She has been teaching private violin lessons for the past two years and intends to continue working with young musicians as much as possible. She currently studies Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University, where she is concertmaster of the Northeastern University Symphony Orchestra and is a member of the NUSO Executive Board. In addition, she plays in various student organized chamber ensembles and hopes to help expand the NUSO instrumental program to allow more students to continue making music throughout their university years. This summer, she hopes to use her musical experience to assist and encourage young musicians in their pursuits and to expose them to the benefits that being an active musician can bring.

Brandon Ye

 Brandon has been playing the cello since the third grade. He is an engineering student at University of Delaware. In high school, Brandon was the principal cellist of the Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra and the Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra. Brandon has attended multiple music festivals and camps to train in cello performance, specializing in solo, orchestral and chamber music. He has been teaching cello students ranging from middle school to high school for several years, and has decided to spend his summer continuing to educate kids on cello performance through both his private instruction and as a chamber music coach for FCSSO.