Chamber Music for Piano, Winds and Strings
Co-Directors: Suzanne Lehrer and Marianne Lauffer
- Grades 6-12
- June 22 - 26, 2026
- 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
About Westminster Chamber Music
Celebrating its 22nd season, Westminster Conservatory welcomes pianists, strings, and winds students to come join us for an exciting week of chamber music and fun. Collaboration and experimentation will be part of the experience as well as the study and performance of magnificent traditional repertoire from all style periods. The make-up of the chamber ensembles and the repertoire assigned will evolve around the participants who sign up: their abilities, their instruments, their personalities and preferences. Our talented faculty will put everything into the mix.
Students will have the opportunity to take the following classes:
- Chamber Music Ensemble
- Chamber Music Repertoire and History
- Music Theory
- Jazz Improvisation
Prerequisites
All students must be entering grades 6 through 12 in the fall of 2026 and taking private lessons on the instrument(s) they wish to play. All participants must be proficient in reading music and be able to learn music quickly and with some independence.
In an effort to determine their readiness and/or to place them in ensembles, new students to Westminster Chamber Music are asked to submit a brief video clip to conservatory@rider.edu. The video should include the student performing a piece or excerpt of a piece that they have been working on that demonstrates their playing ability. Based on the video, the directors will determine student readiness for the program. If the student is not ready, the deposit can be used towards a different Conservatory workshop or can be fully refunded.
Registration cut-off date
Because of the overwhelming popularity of Westminster Chamber Music from year to year, it is important for participants to register early and submit their video before the cut-off date of June 1, 2026. Planning repertoire for this unique body of students takes time and thoughtful consideration to allow for an optimal experience for everyone.
Maximum enrollment: 32
Location
Westminster Chamber Music will be held on the Westminster Campus in Princeton.
Schedule
The program will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students should bring their own packed lunch. The “Ensemble Spectacular” performance will take place Friday afternoon.
Tuition
- Fee: $725
- Early Bird Discount (Register by May 15): $700
$50 Late Fee will be added to tuition for registrations received after May 22.
Tuition includes an assignment folder plus a Westminster Conservatory T-shirt.
A non-refundable deposit of $150 is due with the application. The balance of the fee is due by June 1. Registrations received after May 15 must pay in full. Cancellations after June 1 will receive a refund (less deposit, above) only if another student can be placed from a wait list.
