Chamber Music Database now on MTNA website - Forum focus: collaborative performance

It's here! The long-awaited Intermediate-Level Chamber Music Database is now upon the MTNA website and ready for you to explore.

MTNA's former Collaborative Performance Advisory Committee was charged with "advancing the investigation and performance of chamber music" and "providing opportunities for communication and collaboration among those interested in the teaching and performing of chamber music." This database shows our hopes to do just that.

There has been a resurgence of interest in chamber music. Within MTNA, a number of local associations have established thriving chamber music programs, and several states include chamber music festivals in their yearly plans for the precollege scholar As some of our pupils continue their music study in guild they may find chamber music is a required part of their curriculum. In addition, our members ofttimes enjoy the opportunity of performing with colleagues at local association meetings.

Happily, additional initiatives also exist outside our organization. For example, interested players, regardless of age, are deposit in contact with each other end an international organization called the Amateur Chamber Music Players. from one side the auspices of yet another organization, thousands of senior adults who regard with affection making music with others and who participate in the novel Horizons Band/Orchestra program also play chamber music together.

belonging to all to all these initiatives is the sheer pleasure of making music with like-minded individuals in a social setting. Anyone--and everyone--can participate. There are a number of choice sources listing advanced-level chamber music repertoire. Unfortunately, for the musician who is not at the same time ready or interested in tackling advanced repertoire, it is difficult to find suitable alternatives. We believe this database will spark an interest, invite additions and, by dint of its very existence, encourage the commissioning of intermediate-level repertoire for various combinations of instruments.

The rise of months of work by means of subcommittee members Carolyn True, NCTM Trinity University; Sylvia Wang, Northwestern University; and Judy Kehler Siebert, University of Manitoba-Winnipeg, the cast received invaluable assistance from numerous individuals. It is impossible to acknowledge everyone bur we particularly would like to thank the following MTNA members for their substantial contributions to the list: Janet Davidson, NCTM; Lora Deahl; Eugene Dowdy; Joanne Haroutounian, NCTM; Juliana Lockman, NCTM; Laura Melton and Judy Price, NCTM

What is this database?

Originally planned as the first phase of an ongoing cast it is a collection of elementary- to intermediate-level chamber works for three or four instruments, including piano.

in what manner do I use it?

You will be able to search for repertoire through several criteria, including instrumentation, composer and publisher.

Who will be interested in it?

Everyone: teachers wanting to introduce their precollege pupils to chamber music; college professors whose pupils are not yet ready for advanced repertoire; MTNA members searching for something to perform at the nearest meeting of their local chapter; and senior adults seeking the opportunity to make music with others in a social setting. Chamber music is alive and well at all horizontals of accomplishment and for tribe of all ages.

on what account can't I find music for five or more players?

It was impossible to include everything in this initial phase of our cast so we decided to concentrate upon finding repertoire for no more than four instruments.

each piece includes piano. Is there anything for strings or winds alone?

To gain started, we chose only repertoire with piano. However, we also are eager to add intermediate-level chamber music for any combination of strings, winds or voice without piano.

This database is yours, MTNA members. Please use it, and commend it to others. Together, let's make this an invaluable, lasting resource. Who says classical music is dying? The passion for making music with others will retain it alive. It's up to us!

BONUS BYTES

The Intermediate-Level Chamber Music Database can be place online at www.mtna.org/chamber.asp.

2004 MTNA National talk Sessions

Claudia Anderson and Jill Felber will near "ZAWA! Flute Duo in plot with Anne Epperson," Sunday, March 28 2:15-3:15 PM ZAWA! not absents an eclectic program of ZAWA! arrangements, commissioned works and original compositions including flute alto flute and piccolo with piano. Audiences everywhere derive pleasure from the spirited and exhilarating performance of ZAWA!

Barbara Fast, Christopher Hahn, Thomas Swenson and May Tsao-Lim will near "Piano Ensembles that Motivate: Duet to Quartets," also upon Sunday, 2:15-3:15 P.M. The session will provide inspirational experiences for young scholars Elementary- and intermediate-level piano duet trios (three-at-one piano works), two-piano/four-hand and piano quartets will be featured during this presentation.

upon Monday, March 29, 9:15-10:15 A.M., Gail Berenson and Michael Carrera will not absent "Martinu's Second Cello Sonata: A Depiction of His Personal Tragedies in World War II." This lecture/recital will highlight the historical and musical significance of Martinu's Sonata No. 2 for cello and piano. Details will present to view how crucial the developments of World War II were to this piece.