Rehearsal location changed for 8/31 to Mandarins Music Academy: 9792 Business Park Dr, Sacramento, CA 95827
Rehearsal location changed for 9/2 to Mandarins Music Academy: 9792 Business Park Dr, Sacramento, CA 95827
Classic Strings Rehearsal: Tuesdays at 6 PM -7:30 PM
Location: 601 N. 10th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811
Classic Winds/Brass/Percussion: Thursdays at 7 PM - 8 PM
Location: Virtual - See Zoom Meeting / Google Classroom
Summer Chamber Music Workshop 2026
Building Young Chamber Musicians for 36 Summers
Register by April 15, 2026
Intensive Chamber Music Experience
for Young Musicians
The Summer Chamber Music Workshop (SCMW) is an immersive, week‑long program designed for young musicians who want to deepen their chamber music skills in a supportive, high‑level learning environment. Through daily rehearsals, expert coaching, and collaborative performance opportunities, students develop musical independence, ensemble awareness, and confidence — all culminating in a public performance.
Who Should Attend
SCMW is ideal for students who:
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Have prior ensemble or orchestra experience
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Are motivated to grow as collaborative musicians
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Want focused coaching in a small‑ensemble setting
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Enjoy working intensively with peers and faculty
Programs are offered at multiple levels to ensure students are placed in ensembles that match their experience and readiness.
Program Overview
Students are placed into chamber ensembles based on age, experience, and audition results. Each ensemble works closely with professional faculty and coaches throughout the week.
Daily activities include:
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Chamber ensemble rehearsals
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Coaching sessions with experienced musicians
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Technique and musicianship development
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Musical interpretation and communication skills
The workshop concludes with a final showcase performance, allowing students to share their work with family and friends.
Placement Auditions
All students must complete a placement audition to ensure appropriate ensemble assignments.
Audition requirements include:
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Prepared solo excerpt that best represents playing ability (no longer than 3 mins)
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Major scales (one octave for Junior week and two-three octaves for Senior week)
Auditions are used strictly for placement, not acceptance.
➡️ Placement Auditions will be held by in-person audition on May 2nd for all students registering for the Junior program and for all students newly enrolling in the Senior program.
Returning SCMW students who were in the Senior Program last summer should submit a video audition in lieu of the in-person audition by April 30th. Click Here for Video Audition Requirements and Submission Instructions. If the video is not presented by deadline, the student risks being unenrolled from the program.
Claire Tatman
Director, SCMW
All prospective students should register for the program by April 15, 2026.
All registrations are considered conditional until after the audition results have been delivered. At the time of registration, you will be asked to pay a $50.00 deposit and a $5.20 account fee. You will also be asked to set up a tuition payment plan on autopay. The tuition will be split into two equal payments and billed on 5/10/26 and 6/10/26. If you choose to cancel your registration you must do so before May 7th, 2026. If for any reason we are unable to accommodate your musician a refund of tuition will be granted (less audition + account fee) even if the registration cancellation date has passed.
A limited number of scholarships are available, as well as tuition assistance for those who qualify. The tuition assistance application is included as an option on the registration form.
Once registered, students will receive an audition time at least one week prior to the audition date. Returning Senior Program students will be required to submit a video audition should indicate this on their registration form. Refer to the Video Audition Requirements and Submission Instructions link above and submit a video by April 30th. If the video is not presented by deadline, the student will be unenrolled from the program.
$50 Deposit & Account fee due upon registration. Tuition Payment Plan: Payments Drafted on
5/10/26 and 6/10/26.
Senior Program: June 15 - June 20
Ages 11-19*
CSUS, Capistrano Hall
10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Chamber Music Showcase, TBA
Festival Concert, July 19 evening
Tuition: $475 + $5.36 account fee
Program Requirements & Eligibility
This program is designed for dedicated young musicians, ages 11-19, who are prepared to tackle challenging repertoire. Participants younger than 11 may be considered but must demonstrate an advanced performance level.
Accepted Instruments:
🎻 Violin | 🎻 Viola | 🎻 Cello | 🎻 String Bass |🎸 Classical Guitar
🎼 Flute | 🎼 Oboe | 🎼 Clarinet | 🎼 Bassoon | 🎼 French Horn | 🎹 Piano (limited)
(Other classical instruments may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.)
Program Structure
Students are placed into chamber groups (trios to sextets) and orchestras based on age and skill level. Participants must have the ability to:
✔ Work independently on musical interpretation and ensemble techniques
✔ Rehearse and perform challenging repertoire with a high level of proficiency
✔ Actively engage in coaching sessions to refine their musicianship
All students will perform in:
🎻 Friday Chamber Music Showcase (small ensembles)
🎼 Saturday Festival Concert (orchestra performance)
Note: This is not a beginner-level program. To ensure a rewarding experience, all participants must meet the skill requirements for chamber and orchestral playing.
Junior Program (Half-Day): June 22 - June 26 (Strings Only)
Saint Anthony Church: 660 Florin Rd, Sacramento, CA 95831
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Tuition: $325 + $5.36 account fee
This half-day preparatory program is suitable for string students ages 7-12 who have played their instrument as least one full year, offering a technique class, small ensemble coaching, and string orchestra rehearsals. A mentoring program will be in place for Senior Program students who will spend the morning assisting with the Junior Program and the afternoons in side-by-side sight-reading sessions with faculty artists.
$50 Deposit & Account fee due upon registration. Tuition Payment Plan: Payments Drafted on
5/10/26 and 6/10/26.
Mentor Program (Must Be Enrolled in Senior Program - Accepted by Audition + Application Statement)
Saint Anthony Church: 660 Florin Rd, Sacramento, CA 95831
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuition: $125
Student mentors assist the coaching staff as they work with the Junior Program participants, helping these students to prepare for their end-of-week performance. Mentors will also rehearse with the coaches during the afternoons in preparation for a Mentor/Coach chamber performance for the younger participants and for additional concerts for the public traditionally performed at Westminster Presbyterian Church, U.C. Davis Retiree Center and Eskaton Village. The student mentors must be enrolled in the Senior Program to be considered and will need to complete the Mentor Statement on their application. Up to 8 Advanced Students may be selected to be mentors based on audition.