Chamber Music Program

Faculty member Tom Kraines gives an introduction to Chamber Music in this episode of Settlement 101.

Joseph and Marie Field Chamber Music Program 

All Ages
Tuition: $845
Financial Aid Available 

Nationally recognized chamber music program for students of all ages and abilities. More than 40 chamber ensembles for piano, strings, woodwinds, and brass that perform regularly throughout the city. Settlement encourages chamber music participation as an essential part of every musician’s training. Also serves as excellent preparation for the Advanced Study Program.

Complete the application below to schedule an audition or contact your nearest branch for more information.

Shirley Curtiss Center for Woodwind Studies 

Ages 12-18
Tuition: $845
Financial Aid Available 

Part of the Joseph and Marie Field Chamber Music Program focusing on woodwind chamber ensembles and developing skills in ensemble playing. Settlement Music School’s nationally-renowned woodwind ensemble program is named in honor of the founder of Settlement’s woodwind program, Shirley Curtiss.

The center honors Mrs. Curtiss’ nearly 50 years of service as the founder and lead faculty member of Settlement’s woodwind ensemble program and in gratitude to her and her husband Sidney Curtiss, also a Settlement faculty member and former violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, for their ongoing dedication and generosity to Settlement.

Advanced Study Program 

Part of the Joseph and Marie Field Chamber Music Program, the Advanced Study Program is a special scholarship program for 13 – 18-year-old students (or through completion of high school) who have an interest in pursuing pre-professional training. Click here to learn more and apply for our Advanced Study Program.

Settlement Music School’s Gray Charitable Trust Piano Trio, coached by Settlement piano and chamber music faculty member and Arthur Judson Distinguished Faculty Chair Sandra Carlock, performed at the 2016 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. The Trio, comprised of violinist Brenden Zak (age 18), cellist Cindy Yeo (age 17), and pianist Kelly Zhang (age 18), has performed together as an ensemble since 2013. The ensemble’s selection reflected a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication over the past three years, with preparation for this competition having begun at the start of the 2015-16 season. Numerous Settlement ensembles have been invited to take part in the Fischoff competition since its inception in 1973. Most recently, the Gail W. Snitzer String Quartet, coached by Sidney Curtiss, competed in 2014 and received an Honorable Mention.