String Chamber Music

CSUSB String Chamber Music Program

The String Chamber Music Program at CSUSB facilitates mixed chamber music ensembles with instruments from all families (strings, keyboard, woodwinds, brass, and percussion), and provides a wide range of performance, career development, and educational outreach opportunities.  In addition to performing music from the heart of the standard canon of chamber music repertoire, students learn and perform a wide array of genres and styles, including new music commissions.  Students are regularly coached by Dr. Lucy Lewis and also have the opportunity to work with guest artists, including most recently, Kyle Champion of the Redlands Symphony Orchestra, Esther Back of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, and Paul Stein of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.  Student chamber music groups have performed for CSUSB Music Department chamber recitals, Piano Day, departmental, college, and university events, and have also been invited to perform for events for the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra.  As part of this program, students also regularly perform in the Inland Empire, engaging in educational outreach performances for schools and chamber music concerts for retirement homes.  

CSUSB String Chamber Music Program Mission, Vision & Values

Mission

The mission of the CSUSB String Chamber Music Program is to holistically develop the talent of instrumental students in the Inland Empire and actively contribute to the artistic vibrancy of our region.

Vision

The vision of the CSUSB String Chamber Music Program for it’s student members is to give them the opportunity to learn and perform a diverse range of chamber music repertoire, develop both one’s solo and supportive artistic voice in a small group setting, hone key ensemble skills such as watching, listening, and breathing, delve deep into score study, engage with living composers and guest artists, premiere new music commissions, and participate in interdisciplinary collaborations and educational outreach, all while developing the highest levels of musicianship, professionalism, and audience engagement skills.  This program seeks to empower every student to further their self-exploration and growth so that they may actively work toward achieving their dreams, and becoming artist citizens who make unique and meaningful contributions to both their local and globally-connected communities.  

The vision of the CSUSB String Chamber Music for our San Bernardino, Inland Empire, and greater Southern California communities, is to provide a hub for our communities to come and enjoy chamber music performances of the highest calibre.  We value audience engagement and feedback, we seek to be relevant to our communities, and we actively engage in the mutually shared goals of education, community development, and celebration of the arts in the Inland Empire.

Values

The CSUSB String Chamber Music Program is contextualized by the core values of the university, which are:

• Inclusivity that honors diverse perspectives and beliefs
• Respect for every individual
• Equitable treatment of and opportunities for every individual
• Celebration of diversity
• An innovative learning environment that prioritizes high standards of excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship
• Integrity in character, conduct, and communications
• Transparency in leadership, governance, and instruction
• Sustainable program goals, recruitment practices, and stewardship of resources
• Wellness and safety of everyone

CSUSB String Chamber Music Program Membership

Students, CSUSB faculty members, and community artists are all invited to participate in the California State University, San Bernardino String Chamber Music Program.  Membership in the CSUSB String Chamber Music Program is open to all students regardless of major; you do not have to be a music major to participate.  High school students are eligible to participate through Open University (freshman and sophomores) and CSUSB’s High School University Program (juniors and seniors), and middle school students are eligible to participate through Open University with their instructor’s permission.  Transferable university/college credit is available through both Open University and the High School University Program, and so please email Dr. Lewis to receive the registration forms and information.  Membership is by audition only and auditions are held the first week of each semester.  

CSUSB String Chamber Music Program Opportunities

Members of the CSUSB String Chamber Music Program have access to a variety of special opportunities that include a collaborative relationship with the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, and access to participation in the CSUSB American String Teachers Association Student Chapter: Yotie Edition.

California State University, San Bernardino Student Chapter: Yotie Edition Opportunities:

• Membership for any student musician (string, woodwind, brass, percussion, keyboard, voice), in the largest national association for string and orchestral performance, pedagogy, and advocacy
• Professional development opportunities
• California State University, San Bernardino Summer Orchestra, Piano, Guitar & Chamber Music Camp Student Internships