Give your child the chance to make music, make friends, and grow with guidance from professional musicians! Our year-long chamber music program for students in grades 2–12 offers personalized coaching sessions throughout the school year, helping young musicians build confidence, teamwork, and performance skills in a supportive and inspiring environment. With flexible sliding-scale tuition, this enriching experience is accessible to families of all backgrounds. Whether your student is just beginning their chamber music journey or ready to take their playing to the next level, they'll discover the joy of making music together all year long!
A chamber ensemble is a small group of musicians, playing one to a part, who perform without a conductor. Unlike orchestra, there is no one else playing the same part as you, so you have to know your part thoroughly! However, unlike solo performance, you are playing with others as part of a team.
Student chamber groups receive coaching from professional teachers and players. This helps them prepare for an eventual performance at the end of the session, which includes 10 coachings. Coachings are Wednesday afternoon/evening at the Crewe Center for the Arts on the USM Portland Campus, exact time TBD.
We will combine students with similar levels and backgrounds based on a video audition, consisting of 5-10 minutes of material you have worked on in private lessons that best represents your playing. *Current 240 Strings students do not need to audition, but they DO need to fill out the application. Non-240 Strings students must be currently taking private lessons on their instrument.
Applications (including videos emailed to info@240strings.org) and payment are encouraged in August so we have time to make repertoire and group assignments before Sept. 1. Coaching starts Sept. 16, 2025.
Chamber music is a commitment. All members must attend all coachings and the final concert, for the good of everyone in the group. Please be sure to check every date before committing. There will be no makeup coachings.
Working with peers, striving to be a better musician for the good of the group, and ultimately succeeding are all crucial goals for developing musicians. We want all students to have the opportunity to play in a chamber music group with players of the same level, and to work with the Portland Piano Trio as coaches! Realizing that families have different abilities to pay, 240 Strings is offering a voluntary four-tier pricing schedule. You may choose the tier that works best for your family.
