Skip to content

Chamber Music Summer Intensive

Fischoff National Chamber Music Association is proud to partner with Saint Mary’s College to present the annual Chamber Music Summer Intensive. This five-day program brings together young musicians and renowned professionals for an exciting week of chamber music study, masterclasses, workshops, solo and ensemble performances, and community engagement opportunities. The program is open for intermediate to advanced strings, brass, wind, and piano students in grades 6-12. With the beauty of Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN as a backdrop, the Fischoff Chamber Music Intensive is a transformative musical experience for our students!

Audition Requirements

All applicants must submit an unedited video recording. Recordings should be uploaded to YouTube, or shared from Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar file-sharing service. Please be sure your audition videos are clearly titled (e.g. John Smith, flute – Humoresque, Op. 101, No. 7 by Dvořák). Audition videos must clearly display the hands and face of the applicant at all times during the performance.

Strings, Wind, and Brass
  • Two major and two minor scales of your choice
  • One solo work demonstrating technical skills and musical expression
Piano
  • Two major and two minor scales of your choice
  • One solo work demonstrating technical skills and musical expression

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Merit-based Scholarships

Merit-based camp scholarships are available, covering up to 50% of tuition costs. Scholarships are competitive and determined by audition. If you would like to audition for a merit scholarship, please send your audition video recording to Dr. Geena Kam at geena@fischoff.org before you complete the registration form. Qualified students will receive a scholarship promo code to apply to your payment. Earlier submissions receive priority consideration. Students who are receiving financial aid are not eligible for a merit scholarship.

Financial Aid

We also have financial aid available. To receive financial aid for the program, please complete this form.

2024 Faculty

KevinKL

Kevin Kwan Loucks, Piano Faculty-in-Residence
Sponsored by SBAMTA Stickley Scholarship Fund

Pianist Kevin Kwan Loucks enjoys a multifaceted career as international concert artist, educator, and arts entrepreneur. He has been described as “impeccable” (La Presse, Montreal), “a shining talent” (Völser Zeitung, Italy), and “a pianist of exhilarating polish, unity and engagement” (The Orange County Register, California). He has earned ovations from Weill Recital Hall and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, to Prösels Castle in Italy, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Kennedy Center, Kumho Art Hall and Seoul Arts Center in South Korea, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, and Prague’s Lichtenstein Palace. He has been featured on National Public Radio, CBC Radio 2, Classical KUSC, the Public Broadcasting Service, KABC-TV Los Angeles, and the Korean Broadcasting System, and was a top prize winner at the Schlern International Competition in Italy, the International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition in Boston, the Beverly Hills International Auditions in Los Angeles, and the American Prize in Performance.

More
Thalea

Thalea String Quartet, Quartet-in-Residence

Thalea never failed to deliver a stirring performance” (Calgary Herald); The Thalea String Quartet brings their signature vibrancy and emotional commitment to dynamic performances that reflect the past, present, and the future of the string quartet repertoire while celebrating diverse musical traditions from around the world.

More
lara-turner

Lara Turner

An active performer on cello, baroque cello, and viola da gamba, Lara Turner enjoys a varied career performing music ranging from contemporary to baroque. Lara has held the position of Principal Cello with the South Bend Symphony since 2004. She has been a featured soloist performing with the symphony: Milhaud’s Concerto No. 1 (2007), Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme (2013), Saint-Saens’ Concerto No. 1 (2015) and Beethoven’s Triple Concerto (2017). 

More
GrondinEmilie2019-20

Emilie Grondin

Emilie Grondin is in her seventeenth season as conductor of the South Bend Youth Concert Orchestra. She teaches the String Ensembles at Stanley Clark School, a program she began 29 years ago, as well as the Preschool music classes and a summer Chamber Music Camp. A Suzuki cello teacher for more than 40 years, first in Eugene, Oregon and since 1990 in the South Bend area, Mrs. Grondin teaches cello and chamber music through her private studio and co-coordinates the SBYSO Chamber Music Program.

More
luis-enrique-vargas-2361-L

Luis Enrique Vargas

Violist Luis Enrique Vargas is a member of the Euclid Quartet since 2001 and teaches viola and chamber music at Indiana University South Bend where he was appointed Lecturer in 2007.

More

Parent Testimonials 2024

“This was the happiest I’ve seen my daughter all year: she came home on day 1 saying, “these are my people!” thank you for fostering community, inspiring engagement in music, and making a life of music feel accessible. I am especially grateful for the community aspect of the week, the kids were really kind and generous with one another.”

“The excellence of the coaches and staff was [my student’s] favorite part. He loved working with Lauren (Thalea String Quartet) and watching the incredible quartet and quintet performances. I enjoyed seeing the staff cheering and making the performers feel like rock stars at the final concert. Chamber music is such a fun way for kids to improve their musicianship and confidence, and you created a supportive and welcoming environment for every kid.”

“Phenomenal opportunity to work with world-class musicians…amazing experience!”

“My daughter was very excited to attend each day of camp. She enjoyed getting to know new students and learned a lot and developed as a leader in her group.”

“This was an amazing program and it deserves to continue to thrive and grow.”
“This program is excellent–my kid loved it!”