Study KAM: Fact sheet Chamber Music
What is chamber music?
By chamber music we mean music for small, non-conducted instrumental ensembles. All instrumentations for which the chamber music literature provides works are possible. Classical formations such as the string quartet, piano trio or wind quintet have evolved through the various eras and styles from the Baroque to the present day, but the variety of different, sometimes unusual instrumentations is great and it is worth exploring and getting to know them. Chamber music formations with the participation of singers (several instruments and vocals) are also possible.
Duos are explicitly considered chamber music. Pianists should note that playing duo works is also part of the range of tasks in the subject of accompaniment and may also be covered in this subject. If a duo formation wishes to register a duo as chamber music at the same time, a different work must of course be studied there.
How do I register for chamber music lessons?
In preparation for the new semester, all students on the BA and MA KAM courses receive an invitation to chamber music lessons. The form sent with the invitation is filled in with all the required information and sent to the respective teacher.
For chamber music ensembles with historical instruments or at the HIP Institute, please refer to the relevant fact sheet “HIP ensembles”.
How do I find a group?
The best way to find a suitable chamber music group is to make contact with other players yourself and form a coherent group in good time before the semester begins.
At the beginning of the course, there are often not many contacts with fellow students. It is therefore advisable to sit in on lessons in other instrumental classes and chamber music lessons and to attend recitals in other classes - these can be opportunities to get to know interesting chamber music partners.
As a rule, chamber music applications are submitted by groups.
It is expressly encouraged to form groups that work on a permanent basis over several semesters. This offers the opportunity to delve deeper into chamber music work.
However, it is also possible to submit individual applications. The chamber music teachers try to form ensembles from these individual players at the beginning of the semester.
There are also regular larger groups or already planned concerts with fixed works, which are initiated and organized by chamber music teachers. You can also apply to take part in such a project.
If chamber music lessons are given by other teachers, they confirm the scope of the work, the repertoire studied and the proof of performance (internal or external recital or concert) informally to the attention of the above-mentioned chamber music professors, who determine the awarding of credit points. Written projects or courses in the field of Lied Duo are welcome and can be credited. Credit points are awarded in the same way.
Contemporary chamber music is taught by Prof. Lucas Fels, who can be contacted for advice on content, for example with regard to the design of the "New Music" project, which is compulsory in some curricula (please note the module descriptions).
How many credits do I receive for a chamber music project?
As a rule, 2 CPs are awarded for a chamber music project. These represent 60 hours of work which, in addition to rehearsals and participation in lessons and concerts or auditions, also include the organization of the ensemble and rehearsal rooms, the preparation of sheet music as well as individual practice, possible research and the reading of related literature.
It is also possible to take part in several projects within a semester, which can be flexibly incorporated into the compulsory and/or elective areas. More than 2 CPs can be awarded for particularly extensive projects that require a lot of time. For this purpose, an informal application must be submitted to the supervising teacher in which the time required for the project is described.
The prerequisite for the award of credits is the complete rehearsal of a chamber music work appropriate to the level of performance and the performance in an internal or public audition.
Students in the BA have the opportunity to choose a specialization in chamber music (students majoring in piano can alternatively choose a specialization in accompaniment). This offers the opportunity for a deeper and more varied examination of ensemble playing and can be taken in preparation for an MA in Chamber Music. Students interested in this specialization should contact the chamber music teachers for advice.
Where can I find suitable sheet music?
It is important for ensemble work to use a reliable edition of sheet music that reflects the current state of research wherever possible. The HfMDK library has appropriate editions of sheet music for many common, but also for less frequently played chamber music works. HfMDK students also have the option of using the Henle Library App Campus Edition and nkoda app subscriptions taken out by the university.
Tablets
A total of 20 loan tablets are available for chamber music lessons, which can be requested individually from Prof. Tim Vogler at the beginning of each semester. If you are awarded the loan, you may use one of these devices for the duration of the semester.
External projects - externally supervised chamber music
Students who form their ensembles with members of other universities and who wish to take part or all of their chamber music lessons externally can, under certain conditions, apply the corresponding work to their studies at the HfMDK. Conditions and formal requirements are set out in the elective subject "External Professional Practice/Internships". Prior consultation with a chamber music teacher (see above) is recommended.
Ensemble New Music
It is possible to acquire credits for chamber music/ensemble by participating in the Ensemble Neue Musik. You can take part in advertised projects as well as carry out projects you have designed and organized yourself and (subject to capacity) have them supervised by a teacher. Such initiatives are expressly supported and encouraged.
Contact person for projects in the field of New Music: Prof. Lucas Fels.
Orchestra projects/ HIP projects
For students majoring in keyboard instruments or guitar, there is another opportunity to gain ensemble experience by participating in an orchestra project, provided that the corresponding instruments are available. If you are interested in participating in an orchestral project, please contact the relevant orchestra or HIP orchestra representatives and/or the head of the department.