NJIO Summer Chamber Music Workshop

Have you ever wanted to experience the joy of playing chamber music in a stress-free environment? This June and July, the New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra is offering its Introduction to Chamber Music Workshop for String and Winds. The program is designed for beginner and intermediate players of all ages, but is open to all levels.

The workshop is held on Thursday evenings, from 7 to 9 p.m. at New Jersey's premiere music center, the Judith G. Wharton Music Center, 60 Locust Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ, which is centrally located with a short commute from Summit, New Providence, Chatham, Madison, Long Hill, Warren, Basking Ridge, Watchung, Westfield, Scotch Plains, Morristown, Short Hills, Livingston, and other surrounding communities.

Session A runs from June 9 – June 30, and Session B from July 7 – July 28. Musicians can register for one or both four-week sessions. Each session costs $100. Register for both sessions at a discount of $175. An application can be downloaded from the NJIO web site, www.njio.org or, call the NJIO office at 908-603-7691 and leave a message. For more information, contact workshop leader and cellist, Martin Steinberg at (973) 953-4425 or, email, MSteinberg@njio.org 

Each student receives personal and group instruction on their instrument by a staff of outstanding professional coaches. A noncompetitive and relaxed atmosphere is key to learning and enjoying this workshop, and a typical evening includes a brief discussion, coaching and playing for two-and-a-half hours with a break in between to socialize. Music that matches your skill level is provided and our encouraging coaching staff will guide you to experience the joys of playing chamber music among new friends. 

Martin Steinberg, cellist, is the workshop leader. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Symphony Space and NJPAC and teaches cello in his studio in South Orange. He has studied with Irene Sharp and has participated in workshops with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and in France, Vermont, California and New Jersey. 

Woodwind coaches are: Crispian Fordham, flute coach (Session A), who attended the Aspen Music Festival as a fellow and won the excellence in performance award at Mannes College of Music; Meredyth Coleman, oboe and English horn coach (Session B), who performed with the Emerson String Quartet and under the batons of Kurt Masur, Maxim Shostakovich and Jo Ann Falletta.

String coaches include: Elzbieta Winnicka, violin coach and graduate of the Academy of Music in Wroclaw, Poland; Ruth Brons, viola coach, holds a master’s degree in music performance from Temple University, PA; Mikhail Kuchuk, violin coach, graduated from the Academy of Music in Odessa, completed a doctorate in Freiburg, Germany and currently teaches at the Judith Wharton Music Center, NJ; Vincent Novellino, violin coach, a graduate of Cook College, Rutgers University and string coach at the Newark Academy in Livingston, NJ.

Registration deadline is June 1.