Chamber Music in Public Schools (CHAMPS)

If you are already participating in the CHAMPS program, please click here.

The CHAMPS program, operating under the auspices of Salon Concerts Inc., seeks to encourage the next generation of chamber musicians. Band and orchestra students at Austin-area schools audition for small ensembles which receive special coaching throughout the year. Funded by grants and donations, the program is completely free to participating students and schools.

Activities

Before the school year begins, CHAMPS Director, Jephta Bernstein, contacts orchestra directors from middle and high school programs in the Austin, Eanes and Round Rock public school districts inviting them to participate in our program. Typically CHAMPS has participants from at least 12 schools. One of three CHAMPS coaches then audition recommended students to participate. Challenging chamber music is then selected to suit the immediate needs of each individual group.

Each student ensemble receives highly specialized coachings from one of our professional chamber musicians. Most ensembles are coached weekly in hour-long sessions. Coachings take place during the students’ orchestra class hour. However, most groups do work together outside these weekly coachings developing their own rehearsal techniques and learning to work together as a group.

Performance opportunities are arranged throughout the year for CHAMPS participants. In-school concerts are given for the general student body or for smaller audiences of band, orchestra, and choir students. CHAMPS students also perform at community and corporate functions and two public concerts at Austin's Armstrong Community Music School. Each year, a least one student performance is videotaped for broadcast on public access television, reaching thousands of viewers over numerous airings.

Our Coaches

Jephta Bernstein, violin	Robert Radmer, guitar and singer, songwriter and violin	Joseph Smith, violin

History

Launched in 1991 by Salon Concerts Founder and Former Artistic Director, Robert Rudié, with a handful of students, CHAMPS now reaches up to 75 young musicians annually in as many as ten different schools. The program has been active in the Austin, Round Rock, Lake Travis, and Eanes independent school districts. Participants represent diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds as well as varying levels of musical skill.

Benefits

Through coaching and practice, CHAMPS players develop and demonstrate knowledge and skills in chamber music repertoire, playing technique, personal and musical ensemble cooperation, and artistic interpretation. Many demonstrate leadership abilities as section leaders and soloists in their orchestra or band. Concert performances further develop their poise, confidence, and practical performance skills.

Student and teacher acclaim for CHAMPS is unanimous. Students often remark that the program is their first exposure to chamber music and small-ensemble performance, unforgettable discoveries they might otherwise not have made until many years later. Teachers praise the concentration, focus, and teamwork that chamber music coaching produces in their students. These skills support artistic and academic achievement and are a foundation for future success in any field.