Chamber Music
Weekend Workshop
The Charles Ives Music Festival is excited to offer a Chamber Music Weekend Workshop on Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28, 2027. Under the direction of CIMF Artistic Director Paul Frucht, and featuring Artist-Faculty violinists Chelsea Starbuck Smith and George Meyer, violist Jacob Shack and cellist Mitch Lyon, this program will involve rehearsing and performing in a chamber ensemble with a CIMF Artist-Faculty member, just like the summer festival. Each group will rehearse throughout the weekend, culminating in a concert on Sunday evening. Program details and schedule are below.
Applicants who have participated in WCYO and/or CIMF are automatically accepted on a first-come first served basis according to instrumentation. Applicants who have not participated in WCYO and/or CIMF should send a short video of themselves performing one solo work or solo work with piano accompaniment to cimf@wctyo.org on or before December 1. Applications can be submitted before video submission.
To apply, scroll down and complete the short application form.
Application deadline: Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Program Information
* Tuition is $350 (financial assistance available upon request)
* Location for all events is First Congregational Church - 103 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT
* Weekend includes chamber music rehearsals and performance, masterclasses and other specialized sessions, and free tickets to a CIMF artist concert on Saturday evening February 27th at the church
* Participation in this program counts as your CIMF Summer 2027 audition. Simply submit your summer application in advance and check "Participating in CIMF Weekend Workshop" for your audition time.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday 2/27
10:00 AM Arrival and Introduction
10:15 AM-12:00 PM Chamber Rehearsals led by Artist-Faculty
12:15-1:30 PM Masterclasses by Instrument with Artist-Faculty
1:30-2:15 PM Lunch (participants bring a bag lunch)
2:15-4:00 PM Chamber Rehearsals led by Artist-Faculty
4:15-5:15 PM Special Workshop
5:15-6:15 PM Chamber Rehearsals led by Artist-Faculty
6:15 PM Dinner (pizza provided)
7:00 PM Artist Concert
Sunday 2/28
1:30-3:00 PM Chamber Rehearsals led by Artist-Faculty
3:15-4:15 PM Chamber Music Masterclass
4:30-5:30 PM Dress Rehearsal (final touch up)
5:30 PM Dinner (participants bring a bag dinner)
6:00 PM Chamber Ensembles Concert
Apply
Tuition
Tuition for the Chamber Music Weekend Workshop is $350 and is due by Monday, January 11, 2027. Click the BUY NOW button to pay tuition.
