Winter/Spring
Chamber Music Intensive
The Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra (WCYO) is excited to offer the Charles Ives Music Festival Chamber Music Intensive (CMI) for Winter/Spring 2026 under the direction of CIMF Artistic Director Paul Frucht. CMI is an advanced education and performance program open to WCYO Symphony Orchestra musicians and CIMF summer program participants by invitation and at the recommendation of Paul Frucht and/or WCYO Music Director Eric Mahl.
For more information, click the button below or scroll down.
About Winter/Spring CMI
Rehearsals will be held on Sunday afternoons beginning January 11, 2026 (see full schedule below). Supervised, student-led rehearsals will begin with a brief orientation and student and parent meeting with Paul Frucht at the first rehearsal on January 11th. The student-led rehearsals will be supplemented throughout the 10-week program with professional coaching. The program will culminate in a participant concert performance on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at which students will perform the chamber repertoire they have worked on during the program.
Program Participants Will...
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Be notified of group placement and repertoire by mid-November.
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Attend 10 rehearsals (see full schedule below).
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Perform in the final concert on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
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Receive chamber music coaching led by CIMF Artist-Faculty and guest artists.
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Attend, free of charge, the concert on Sunday, February 8th, featuring Ji Su Jung, marimba and Russell Fisher, percussionist (details TBA).
Attendance Expectations
Students are expected to attend ALL scheduled rehearsals as a commitment to the other musicians in their group.
Exceptions will be made under two conditions:
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A student is feeling unwell and unable to attend due to illness
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A student has a conflict with a maximum of ONE rehearsal date and has informed CIMF of the conflict via email in advance of the start of the program
Participants who miss more than two rehearsals may be excused from the program.
Rehearsal Schedule
Rehearsals take place on Sundays unless noted otherwise. The rehearsal and concert location is the First Congregational Church of Ridgefield (103 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT).
January 11 - 2:30-5:00 PM Rehearsal
- 2:30 PM brief participant & parent meeting
January 18 - 2:30-5:00 PM Rehearsal
January 25 - 2:30-5:00 PM Rehearsal
February 1 - 2:30-5:00 PM Rehearsal
February 8 - 2:30-4:00 PM Rehearsal
4:00-5:30 PM Concert with Ji Su Jung & Russell Fisher
February 15 - NO REHEARSAL President’s Day Holiday/Winter Break
February 22 - 2:30-5:00 PM Rehearsal
March 1 - 2:30-5:00 PM Rehearsal
March 8 - NO REHEARSAL WCYO Concert Day
March 15 - 2:30-5:00 PM Rehearsal
March 22 - 2:30-5:00 PM Rehearsal
March 29 - 2:30-5:00 PM Dress Rehearsal
March 29 - 5:00 PM Finale Concert
Tuition
Tuition for Winter/Spring CMI is $400 and is due by November 15, 2025
