Registration Details: Spring 2026

The Cynthia Sternberg Schein Chamber Music Institute seeks to foster a collaborative community by welcoming advanced students from all music programs and private studios in Central Pennsylvania. Whether you currently study at The Music Academy, through your school or community orchestra program, or with another teacher in a private studio, you are invited to apply!
Registration Period for the Spring 2026 Semester opens November 5, 2025. Due to the small nature of chamber ensembles, we have LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE. Please register right away to give yourself the best chance of being placed in an ensemble. Ensembles will be announced in late December or early January.
Instrumentation: Traditionally, chamber music lends itself primarily to piano and strings. (Example: quartet for piano, violin, viola, and cello). Other ensembles may consist of the same instrument family, such as ALL STRINGS or ALL PIANO (learn more about "Piano Four Hands"). We may also have a limited number of spots available for other instruments, such as winds or brass. We will make every effort to include all students who wish to participate, but ask for your understanding if we are not able to accommodate your instrument in a given semester.
There is NO AUDITION REQUIRED; however, we have developed program guidelines, as outlined below, to ensure that all participants find success in our program. Please review the following criteria with your music teacher before registering for the Chamber Music Institute.

Criteria for Participation

Age and Level Recommendation

Age Range: Grades 5-12
Level Recommendation: 2-3 years of private lesson instruction or equivalent
These are merely guidelines; we may still accept students outside of these suggested ranges. Please consult your instructor and/or reach out to The Music Academy with any questions.

Teacher Recommendation Form

To help us ensure that chamber music is the right fit for your current experience level, your private or school instructor will complete a recommendation form on your behalf. Our faculty will reach out to your teacher directly to provide instructions for the form submission. However, you may wish to share a sample of the recommendation form ahead of time. View the form here:

TEACHER REC FORM

Music Theory

Placement Exam

All participants in the Chamber Music Institute will receive a weekly music theory class in addition to chamber coachings/rehearsals. We offer two Music Theory Courses: Music Foundations (level 1) and Music Mechanics (level 2). Your registration form will include an exam to help us place you in the appropriate course level.

Suggested Repertoire Levels for Strings

Minimum Suggested Repertoire Levels:

Violins – Suzuki Book 4 or equivalent
Violas – Suzuki Book 3 or equivalent
Cellos – Suzuki Book 3 or equivalent

Suggested Repertoire Levels for Piano

Minimum Suggested Level: Approximately RCM Level 7 or 8 repertoire

Minimum Suggested Repertoire:

Bach - 2-part inventions
Mozart - K. 545
Beethoven - Für Elise (original, complete)
Mendelssohn - Songs Without Words
Schumann - Album for the Young
Field - Nocturnes
Moszkowski - Petite Études Op. 91 or Études, Op. 72
Czerny - Études Op. 740

Suggested Sightreading Level for Piano

Minimum Level: Four Star Sightreading, Level 5 or 6

After registration, piano students will be asked to attend a Virtual Sightreading Session with our chamber music coaches. This is not an audition, but rather a procedure that will help our faculty place you in the appropriate chamber ensemble.

A Note to Music Teachers: As fellow music educators, we want to provide assurance that in accordance with our code of ethics, The Music Academy has no intention of soliciting, coercing, or recruiting your students to leave your studio to become private students of The Music Academy. The sole purpose of our program is to enhance your student's private study with theory instruction and the opportunity to participate in chamber music ensembles. We aim to keep you informed of your student's progress in the program and become a partner in your student's musical development.

Registration and Payment Timeline: Spring 2026

NOVEMBER 5: Registration Opens. A registration fee of $45 due at time of application. The fee is due once per academic year and is waived for current students of The Music Academy.

DECEMBER 19: Registration Closes. Faculty will evaluate applications, collect teacher recommendation forms, conduct Sightreading Sessions, and place students in ensembles based on level and instrumentation.

EARLY JANUARY: Chamber Ensembles Announced. At this time, a non-refundable deposit of $350 is due to secure your placement in a fall semester ensemble. In the rare case that we are not able to accommodate your instrument or level this semester, we will refund the $45 registration fee.

JANUARY 23: Final Payment Due. Please remit the remaining tuition balance of $300.

JANUARY 31: Rehearsals begin!

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