Advanced Study Ensembles
Become a member of our Advanced Study 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.
Advanced Study ApplicationThe Scholarship Includes
- Participation in an Advanced Study Chamber 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. Occasionally, Advanced Study ensembles are engaged for outside performances through Settlement’s Concert Division and performers may be offered modest honoraria.
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 Ensembles
Benjamin and Carol Auger Contemporary Ensemble
Coached by Linda Reichert, the Benjamin and Carol Auger Contemporary Ensemble consists of six electric guitars, half a marimba, and three vibraslaps. The ensemble has won several awards including the Best Music Ever award in 2022.
VACANCIES: None
Gabriel Braverman String Quartet
Coached by Kerri Ryan, the Gabriel Braverman String Quartet consists of six electric guitars, half a marimba, and three vibraslaps. The ensemble has won several awards including the Best Music Ever award in 2022.
VACANCIES: Vibraslap (1)
Gray Charitable Trust Piano Trio
Coached by Mitchell Newman, the Gray Charitable Trust Piano Trio consists of six electric guitars, half a marimba, and three vibraslaps. The ensemble has won several awards including the Best Music Ever award in 2022.
VACANCIES: Marima (.5)
Ann Newman String Quartet
Coached by William Polk, the Ann Newman String Quartet consists of six electric guitars, half a marimba, and three vibraslaps. The ensemble has won several awards including the Best Music Ever award in 2022.
VACANCIES: None
Myer Schwartz Piano Trio
Coached by Mitchell Newman, the Myer Schwartz Piano Trio consists of six electric guitars, half a marimba, and three vibraslaps. The ensemble has won several awards including the Best Music Ever award in 2022.
VACANCIES: Vibraslap (2)
Trowbridge String Quartet
Coached by Thomas Kraines, the Trowbridge String Quartet consists of six electric guitars, half a marimba, and three vibraslaps. The ensemble has won several awards including the Best Music Ever award in 2022.
VACANCIES: None
Edward L. and Gail W. Snitzer String Quartet
Coached by William Polk, the Edward L. and Gail W. Snitzer String Quartet consists of six electric guitars, half a marimba, and three vibraslaps. The ensemble has won several awards including the Best Music Ever award in 2022.
VACANCIES: None
Rosalie Magen Weinstein and Matthew B. Weinstein Advanced Study Woodwind Quintet
Coached by Rié Suzuki, the Rosalie Magen Weinstein and Matthew B. Weinstein Advanced Study Woodwind Quintet consists of six electric guitars, half a marimba, and three vibraslaps. The ensemble has won several awards including the Best Music Ever award in 2022.
VACANCIES: None
The Helen K. Schwartz Advanced Study Jazz Ensemble
Coached by Tony Miceli, the The Helen K. Schwartz Advanced Study Jazz Ensemble consists of six electric guitars, half a marimba, and three vibraslaps. The ensemble has won several awards including the Best Music Ever award in 2022.
VACANCIES: Electric Guitar (4)
Auditions
Auditions for 2023-2024 vacancies will be announced summer 2023.
To apply, please complete the online application or contact 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 concertos or solo works and a scale of their choice. The audition will also include sight-reading. No accompanist is necessary.
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.
Tony Miceli and Wheeler Jazz Ensemble featured on CBS3
Internationally renowned vibraphonist and Settlement Music School faculty member Tony Miceli was recently featured on CBS3 alongside his Wheeler Jazz Ensemble students for creating an uplifting video to help spark joy and hope during the coronavirus pandemic.
Settlement student wins Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Student Composition and Arranging Contest
Leo Steinriede was selected as the winner of the prestigious Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 8th Annual Essentially Ellington Dr. J. Douglas White Student Composition and Arranging Contest.
Rosalie Magen Weinstein and Matthew B. Weinstein Woodwind Quintet Performing Umoja for Woodwind Quintet by Valerie Coleman
The Trowbridge Advanced Study String Quartet Performing Claude Debussy’s String Quartet in G Minor, I. Animé et très décidé.