COACHED ENSEMBLE OPTION

Coached Ensemble Option is changing its format starting in 2026.  Please read the new information below:

The Coached Ensemble Option is designed to introduce participants to the experience of learning to play music as part of a duo or group, and is set up as follows:

• All are welcome to participate. A video playing sample is required for all registrants for ensemble placement purposes only. After you have registered, you will be sent instructions on how to submit your playing sample.

Please note, placement in an ensemble will depend on the number of coached ensemble participants for any given week. At least two students are required to create an ensemble. Placement into an ensemble is not guaranteed.

• By choosing this add-on option, you are committing to participating in your ensemble. Groups will be formed prior to your arrival and music chosen, based on those who have signed up for this option for a given week.

Everyone’s participation is crucial to the success of the ensembles.

• Faculty are careful to select works of excellent quality, but works which also may be learned in two weeks time. You will receive five one-hour daily coaching sessions which culminate in the optional performance of the selected work.The five coaching sessions will be part of your weekly schedule.

• Music will be sent out, at minimum, two weeks in advance.

• Every effort is made to organize groups of three or more players, but we can not guarantee that. Experience has shown us that participantshave greatly benefited from the ensemble experience, even when two persons (such as flute/piano, piano 4-hands, cello/cello) are involved.

• By signing up for the Coached Ensemble Option you agree to accept whatever the faculty decides will pedagogically work best for you. WE DO REGRET THAT THERE CAN BE NO LAST MINUTE CHANGES. By signing up for this option, please understand that you will not be entitled to a refund of any kind, unless we are unable to assign you to an ensemble.

• Please note that Celtic Harp students do not need to sign up for Coached Ensemble, as it is included in your classes.

• There is no “jazz” focus in Coached Ensemble. This is a classical chamber music option. Alternatively, pianists/instrumentalists can enroll in the Jazz Jam Session option. A description of the Jazz Jam Session option can be found under the jazz piano workshop. As with the Chamber Ensemble option, you must be enrolled in one of our weekly instrument workshops to add-on the Jazz Jam Session option.

For advanced intermediate and advanced pianists and instrumentalists, you might also want to consider the Chamber Pro program which allows you to play a chamber duo or trio with members of the SummerKeys faculty. There are limited slots available for this program, so please inquire early. Director approval is required.

Registration deadlines are as follows:

For June participants = April 30

For July participants = May 15

For August participants = June 15

Below are the Workshops that will be participating in the Coached Ensemble Option:

• Clarinet Workshop
• Flute Workshop
• Guitar Workshop
• Viola Workshop
• Violin Workshop
• Cello Workshop
• Piano Workshop
• Oboe Workshop
• Trumpet Workshop
• Fiddle Workshop
• Voice Workshop
• Saxophone Workshop