Advanced Study Chamber Ensembles
Become a member of our Advanced Study Chamber Ensembles Scholarship Program
Part of the Joseph and Marie Field Chamber Music Program, the Advanced Study Program is a special scholarship program for 13 – 18 year old students (or through completion of high school) who have an interest in pursuing pre-professional training. Students can apply at the link below to become a member of one of our nine acclaimed advanced ensembles.
To apply, please complete the online application below or contact Chief Academic Officer, Karin Orenstein, with questions at karin.orenstein@settlementmusic.org.
If you are interested in our Helen K. Schwartz Advanced Study or Wheeler Pre-Advanced Jazz Ensembles, please visit our jazz page.
The Scholarship Includes
- Participation in an Advanced Study Ensemble, at no fee.
- A scholarship for individual study with a senior member of the Settlement Music School faculty or with a recognized artist/teacher in the community.
- Participation in an advanced study section of Musicianship (music theory) at any branch of Settlement where it is offered, at no fee.
For study with a Settlement faculty member, the scholarship reduces the fee for a one-hour lesson to $20 for a full season of lessons. For study with a teacher outside of Settlement, the scholarship covers up to $40 per lesson of the fee for a total of 30 lessons submitted.
Advanced Study Ensembles perform several times per year in concerts at Settlement and in the community. Advanced Study Ensembles are also engaged for outside performances through Settlement’s Concert Division.
It is expected that recipients of Advanced Study scholarships will make participation in the ensemble and in Settlement Music School concerts and events their first priority.
Our Advanced Study Chamber Ensembles
Benjamin and Carol Auger Contemporary Ensemble
Coached by Linda Reichert
Composition:
— Violin x1
— Viola x1
— Cello x1
— Piano x1
VACANCIES: None
Gabriel Braverman String Quartet
Coached by Kerri Ryan
Composition:
— Violin x2
— Viola x1
— Cello x1
VACANCIES: None
Gray Charitable Trust Piano Trio
Coached by Mitchell Newman
Composition:
— Violin x1
— Cello x1
— Piano x1
VACANCIES: None
Ann Newman String Quartet
Coached by William Polk
Composition:
— Violin x2
— Viola x1
— Cello x1
VACANCIES: None
Myer Schwartz Piano Trio
Coached by Mitchell Newman
Composition:
— Violin x1
— Cello x1
— Piano x1
VACANCIES: None
Trowbridge String Quartet
Coached by Thomas Kraines
Composition:
— Violin x2
— Viola x1
— Cello x1
VACANCIES: None
Edward L. and Gail W. Snitzer String Quartet
Coached by William Polk
Composition:
— Violin x2
— Viola x1
— Cello x1
VACANCIES: None
Rosalie Magen Weinstein and Matthew B. Weinstein Advanced Study Woodwind Ensemble
Coached by Lyndsie Wilson
Composition:
— Flute x1
— Oboe x1
— Clarinet x1
— Bassoon x1
— French horn x1
VACANCIES: None
Accolades
Our Advanced Study Ensembles participate in competitions across the country and have earned numerous honors and accolades.
Most recently, Settlement Music School’s Myer Schwartz Piano Trio coached by Mitchell Newman, Gabriel Braverman String Quartet coached by Kerri Ryan, and Ann Newman String Quartet coached by William Polk all competed at the 2024 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, with the Myer Schwartz Piano Trio making semifinals in the Junior String Division.
The Myer Schwartz Piano Trio was also one of four finalists at the 11th Annual Coltman Competition held at the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music.
Audition for Advanced Study
Auditions for the Advanced Study Ensembles are held each year in the late spring. To apply, please complete the online application or contact Chief Academic Officer, Karin Orenstein, with questions at karin.orenstein@settlementmusic.org.
If you would like to apply for our Helen K. Schwartz Advanced Study or Wheeler Pre-Advanced Jazz Ensembles, please visit our Jazz page.
Audition Requirements:
Applicants should prepare two contrasting movements from one or more concerti or solo works and a scale of their choice. The audition will also include sight-reading. No accompaniment is necessary.
Audition Dates for 2024-2025:
New audition dates TBD
Advanced Study Program 2024-2025
Notable Advanced Study Program Alumni:
- Robin Bollinger, Concertmaster/Detroit Symphony Orchestra
- David Buck, Principal Flute/Dallas Symphony Orchestra
- Andrea Kaplan, Associate Principal Flute/St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
- Kerri Ryan, Assistant Principal Viola/Philadelphia Orchestra (current SMS faculty)
- Carolyn Semes, 2nd Violin/Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
- Amy Semes, Associate Principal 2nd Violin/Houston Symphony
- Henry Ward, Principal Oboe/Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Advanced Study News
Three Alumni Making Big Waves!
This past summer, we heard amazing news from three of our alumni, Na’Zir McFadden, Robyn Bollinger, and Michael Casimir.
Student Henry Koban Payne Featured on WRTI’s Young Artist Spotlight
Henry Koban Payne, Student at our Wynnefield Branch and Trombonist in our Helen K. Schwartz Advanced Study Jazz Ensemble, was featured in WRIT’s Young Artist Spotlight!
Settlement Student Collin Parker-Szekely Featured on WRTI Young Artist Spotlight
Check out Collin’s fantastic interview as well as his “Meet the Piano” video on the WRTI website!
The 2024 Advanced Study Concert (Video production credit: Rec Today)