String Chamber Music Program
Woodwind Ensemble
Brass Ensemble

The Hamilton College String Chamber Music Program

was founded in 1986. It consists of various combinations of string instruments, occasionally with selected woodwinds and/or pianists. Interested musicians in the Hamilton College Orchestra are asked to sign up for a chamber music group at the beginning of each semester. The groups perform at the Student Ensembles Concert at the end of each semester, as well as other informal performances throughout the year. Student chamber groups are also frequently invited to perform in the College Chapel as part of Community Church services.

Repertoire varies from semester to semester. Works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Dvorak are among the works recently performed by student ensembles. The Freyja String Quartet, a student ensemble active from September 1998 - Novermber 2000, performed both at an alumni gathering in New York City as well as on WKTV-Utica.
A short movie clip of their performance can be viewed here (Warning: This is a 4.7 MB file).
To hear an audio clip of a string chamber ensemble, click here (mp3 file - 325K).

Auditions for Chamber Music

In order to participate in String Chamber Ensembles, you must be a member of the Hamilton College Orchestra.
Read more about Orchestra here.

What String Chamber players have to say:

"My freshman year, I played viola in a quartet... switching from violin to viola and back again was a crazy experience, but a lot of fun. Our chamber coach, Drew Irvin, was always willing to help me perfect my technique and give me pointers on how to switch between the two instruments. Now, I'm back to playing violin exclusively. The Freyja String Quartet has played various gigs on and off campus, as well as our big television debut on WKTV Utica. My fellow quartet musicians are some of my best friends, we have a blast in and out of rehearsal!"
Erin Foley '01, violin

"The great thing about playing chamber music at Hamilton is the fact that such a small school draws such amazing musical talent, and that really becomes apparent when playing in a small ensemble."
Eric Mihan '00, cello

"The Chamber Ensemble was a great experience outside of orchestra that allowed me to further my skills and work on a more personal level with the staff."
Amanda Chaimovitch '00, violin

"The String Chamber Music Program here at Hamilton gives students the opportunity to play challenging music in a favorable environment for learning. Working in small groups allows each member to grow as a musician and as a person in general. The instructors are very professional in their expectations for each person in the group."
Alison Eckberg '02, violin

"Our quartet members forgot to play their parts and just started to play together."
Anonymous '02

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The Hamilton College Woodwind Ensemble

founded in 1961, affords an opportunity for the study and performance of music for various combinations of wind instruments. Interested musicians in the Hamilton College Orchestra are asked to sign up for Woodwind Ensemble at the beginning of each semester. The group performs at the Student Ensembles Concert at the end of each semester, as well as other informal performances throughout the year. Repertoire varies from semester to semester. Recently, they have performed music of Mozart, Boccherini, Piston, and Ibert.

To hear an audio clip of the Woodwind Ensemble, click here (mp3 file -423K).

Auditions for Chamber Music

In order to participate in Woodwind Ensemble, you must be a member of the Hamilton College Orchestra. Read more about Orchestra here.

What Woodwind Ensemble players have to say:

"I was in the WW ensemble last semester and I really enjoyed it. It was a great way to play music that was VERY different from orchestra music. It was also neat to play with such a small group of people and to work on fine-tuning the musicality of small group performances."
Dina MacWilliam '02, flute

The Hamilton College Brass Ensemble

was founded in 1959. Prof. Stephen Bonta conducted the Brass Choir until 1978. Charles England became the second conductor in the Brass Ensemble's history in the fall of 1978. Heather Buchman has directed the Brass Ensemble since 2001.

The Hamilton College Brass Ensemble has traditionally performed in concerts and worship services off and on campus each year, including past domestic and foreign concert tours with the College Choir. The ensemble has also taken part in Hamilton College baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies.

The core of the Brass Ensemble's repertoire, though wide-ranging, features many arrangements of chamber music from the renaissance and baroque eras, and has included the music and/or arrangements of Stephen Bonta, Antonio Vivaldi, G.F. Handel, Claudio Monteverdi, J.S. Bach, Orlando di Lasso, Jean-Joseph Mouret, Palestrina, Aaron Copland, Scott Joplin, Charles Gounod, and many others.

Click here to hear the Brass Ensemble! (mp3 file - 423 K)

Submitting a Tape with your Application to Hamilton

On cassette tape (preferred) or VHS tape, please include two musical works (or movements of works) that demonstrate contrasting styles, and that best show your musical abilities. Please send directly to the Admissions Office. If you are going to visit the campus, why not audition in person! Just contact Heather Buchman.

Auditions for Brass Ensemble

Auditions take place during the first week of classes during both Fall and Spring terms. Sign-up sheets are posted outside the Music Department Office. Please bring something to play that best demonstrates your musical abilities. There is no reason to be nervous!

What Brass Ensemble Members have to say:

"Playing in brass choir has been a very rewarding experience for me. It is a combination of a great group of people, a dedicated conductor, vibrant music and strong ties of friendship."
Paul Damaske '99, trombone

"Brass choir rehearsals have become the highlight of my week. The members are all friendly, talented musicians. Our director is a joy to work with."
Lauren Cuozzo '02, trumpet

"I joined Brass Choir late and was immediately taken by the friendliness of the group. Not only do we make good music, but we have a lot of fun together!"
Colleen Fenity '02, french horn

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Additional Information

Have some questions? email or write:
Florent Renard-Payen
Department of Music
Hamilton College
198 College Hill Road
Clinton, NY 13323