My student is interested in participating in chamber music, but they have little to no experience playing in an ensemble. Is Kansas City Young Chamber Musicians (KCYCM) for them?
Yes. The Kansas City Young Chamber Musicians (KCYCM) structure is designed as a comprehensive small ensemble training program for young musicians (ages 13 - 18) whose current playing levels are within the intermediate and advanced categories. In some exceptional cases, admission has been offered to notable students under the age of 13 in one of our specially formed “Elementary” ensembles.
Most students applying to KCYCM have already had the experience of playing in their school or youth orchestra/band, while some have never had the oppotunity to play in an ensemble at all. Our application process takes all of this into consideration when screening and placing students so that they are appropriately matched.
What instruments does KCYCM accept?
KCYCM is currently accepting applicants in violin, viola, cello, piano and all wind and reed categories (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, etc.) for placements in duet, duo, trio, quartet, or quintet chamber ensembles.
How are students admitted to KCYCM?
KCYCM conducts its ongoing screening process throughout year for placement in one of our 11-week terms (Fall, Winter, and Spring). Students who have already successfully completed the screening process, participated in one term of chamber music, and would like to re-enroll for a successive term do not need to re-screen. Your student may apply or request admission information anytime at the link here.
What are the application and screening requirements?
The application and screening process takes about 15 minutes and is comprised of three components: playing, sightreading, and interviewing.
Students are asked to perform one selection, or excerpt, from their current solo repertoire demonstrating their current level of playing. The selection may be any type of the student’s choosing and is not required to be memorized. Afterwards, all students are presented with a never-before-seen excerpt of sheet music which they must sight-read to the best of their abilities. The process concludes with a brief question and answer session with KCYCM faculty members to help us understand each student’s personality and working type for the purposes of placing them in a well-matched ensemble, should admission to the program be offered.
How are students paired with peers in an ensemble?
If a student has successfully passed the application and screening process and has been recommended for admission, our Music Coordinator Team pairs them in one of our Junior (ages 13 - 15) or Senior (ages 16 - 18) level ensembles with a current opening and need for the student’s instrument, level of playing capabilities, working personality, and shared interests with the peers they will be training alongside in that ensemble. In some exceptional cases, admission is offered to notable students under the age of 13 in a specially formed “Elementary” ensemble (ages 12 and younger).
Our Music Coordinator Team also takes into consideration which areas the students are commuting from so that carpooling arrangements can be considered for your family’s convenience.
What is the time commitment students should plan to make for the chamber music program?
The program runs throughout the course of the academic year (late August through early June) with three 11-week Fall, Winter, and Spring Terms from which to choose. Student ensembles meet for coaching and sectional rehearsals with their assigned KCYCM Faculty members between 1 to 1.5 hours per week, typically on the same recurring day and time. Any optional peer-led student rehearsals are scheduled at the volition and availability of the students and their families.
Students are expected to incorporate their assigned chamber ensemble repertoire into their regular daily practice so that they come sufficiently practiced and prepared on a weekly basis. Our Music Coordinator Team is always available to help with scheduling and practice assistance as needed.
In addition to the weekly coaching schedule, there will be formal recitals, auditions, competitions, and outreach concerts made available to each ensemble as they progress and demonstrate performance readiness.
Students are encouraged and supported to perform as much as they would like in our organized events over the course of the academic year!
How are the weekly coaching sessions and/or sectional rehearsals scheduled?
Our Music Coordinator Team collects the general availability of each student and their family at the beginning of each semester and works carefully to schedule everyone on the same common days and times. In the event someone in the ensemble has a conflict with a particular week’s scheduled event, our Music Coordinator Team is available to help arrange a rescheduling solution.
What is the tuition rate for the 2022/2023 Academic Year?
Tuition for the 2023/2024 Academic Year comes to about $40/week, depending on the makeup of the ensemble into which they are placed. Tuition does not cover competition/audition entry fees for students who elect to participate in such events.
Tuition payments are due at the beginning of the term with payment plans also available by request.
Is there scholarship or financial assistance available for students?
Yes. Merit and Need-Based Scholarships are available for qualifying students and their families. If you would like to be considered, please indicate on your application for admission or notify the director (info@kcycm.org) at anytime. However, no student is ever turned away due to lack of funds, so please do not hesitate to discuss with us if you are in need of assistance.
In addition to chamber music training, does KCYCM offer private individual lessons?
No. KCYCM is exclusively a chamber music training program. All students who are offered admission and enroll in our chamber program must be currently studying with a private lesson instructor in their community and remain enrolled in their private individual lessons for the full duration of their participation in our program.
While some of our KCYCM Faculty may also maintain private teaching studios in the area, they do not recruit or permit students to transfer into their private lesson studios from the chamber program.
Our program exists to support the greater Kansas City music-making and music educators community by offering small ensemble training beyond the scope of a student’s current private lesson training or orchestral/band studies. Please make sure that you have checked with your private lesson instructor before applying.
My student has a friend/friends with whom they would like to play together in an ensemble. Is it possible they can be paired together?
Our application form includes an optional section where you can enter the names of other applicants with whom you might like to be matched. If all the students are successfully admitted and there are an available number of openings to put everyone into the same ensemble, then we would be happy to arrange that.
My child seems to be under the weather, or was exposed to someone who was ill and they have an upcoming chamber music event. What should we do?
We have updated our regular “attendance policy” in our program’s syllabus to reflect the guidelines as established by the county health department to exercise caution should someone be experiencing any signs and symptoms of illness, or been exposed to someone experiencing signs and symptoms of illness. We have asked all enrolled students, families, and faculty to abide by these guidelines and kindly not attend any events if this applies to them. Please communicate directly with our Music Coordinator Team to make arrangements for alternative scheduling options, and we will happily assist you so that everyone can stay well.
I don’t see my question answered on this FAQ page. Who can I speak to if I have further questions?
Please contact our Music Coordinator Team directly via our “Get In Touch” page and we will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have. Thank you!