Open by audition to pianists, instrumentalists and singers who wish to explore and develop their talents as collaborative musicians. Students are paired based on availability and receive weekly coachings by appointment. Repertoire will focus on duo repertoire (e.g. accompanied sonatas, art songs, and other substantive duo repertoire). Students are expected to practice independently, rehearse with their collaborator, attend their collaborator's lessons as needed, and perform at a juried recital at the end of the semester. Students may register for 3 units for a smaller-scale assignment or 6 units for a larger-scale assignment or two small assignments. At the discretion of the instructor, this subject may satisfy the ensemble requirement for pianists and instrumentalists in the Emerson/Harris program.
Auditions for Collaborative Piano will take place during Chamber Music Society auditions.
Audition Requirements: Two solo pieces of contrasting styles and a prepared excerpt that will be provided a day before the audition. Each audition will last approximately 6 minutes.
New Members: Register Here
Returning Members: Register Here
FAQ
Current MIT undergraduate & graduate students (priority), MIT alumni
Cross-registered students from Harvard and Wellesley (space permitting)
Pianists, instrumentalists, vocalists
During Registration Day/Week of each semester. Check website to sign-up
A required Chamber Music Society (CMS) orientation precedes auditions
The MIT Chamber Music Society audition counts for both: Chamber Music Society (21M.445) & Collaborative Piano (21M.451)
Two contrasting solo pieces
One prepared excerpt (sent 24 hours in advance)
~6 minutes total
Video audition may be submitted in advance (see webpage)
Western classical repertoire:
Art songs (Schubert, Brahms, Vaughan Williams)
Instrumental sonatas/duos (Beethoven, Amy Beach, Boulez)
Pairs assigned by faculty after auditions
Pre-formed pairs considered; both must audition and pass
Weekly rehearsal, coaching, juried recital
All students must register for credit or as a listener.
Students at the appropriate level typically have a strong classical piano background, can prepare intermediate–advanced repertoire independently, demonstrate reliable rhythm and technique, sight-read at a functional level, and work flexibly and collaboratively with other musicians.
Instrumental:
Arutiunian Trumpet Concerto, Beach Romance, Beethoven Cello Sonata No. 3, Romance in F; Brahms Cello Sonata No.1, Violin Sonata No. 3, Boulez Sonatine, León Alma, Mozart Violin Sonata Ravel Violin Sonata, Prokofiev Romeo & Juliet (arr.)
Vocal:
Brahms Wie melodien, Botschaft, Feldeinsamkeit; Fauré Les berceaux, Aurore, Grieg Sechs Lieder, Mahler Das himmlische Leben (arr.), Rorem songs Schubert Der Hirt auf dem Felsen, Schumann Violin Sonata No. 3, Vaughan Williams The Sky above the Roof
