Summer 2025 Programs
Chamber Music Intensive (CMI)
July 28-August 1, 2025
Chamber & Orchestra Performance Program (COPP)
August 4-10, 2025
Chamber Music Intensive (CMI)
Program Description
CMI is a program for advanced youth musicians ages 21 and under seeking to immerse themselves in the art of chamber music. Participants should have several years experience on their instruments and should have prior chamber music experience. Throughout the week, participants will rehearse with artist-faculty in at least one chamber group culminating in a performance presented on the CIMF Artist Concert Series. Additionally, participants will perform in master classes, analyze their repertoire, and receive one 45 private lesson with artist-faculty.
The CMI Participant Experience
Participants in the CMI program are immersed in a rigorous and exciting chamber music experience for five consecutive days during which they will rehearse and perform alongside world-class CIMF artist-faculty. Each participant is placed in a chamber group composed of other participants at least one artist-faculty member who leads the group throughout the week culminating in a Friday evening performance at Ives Concert Hall. Throughout this intimate experience and exploration of chamber music, participants receive individual attention and develop their artistry and general musicianship skills in the company of other like-minded peers.
Additionally, participants attend masterclasses, other workshops such as improvisation and audition preparation, open and guided artist-faculty chamber music rehearsals, and two professional solo and/or chamber music concerts performed by artist-faculty throughout the week as part of the CIMF Artist Concert Series. Each participant also receives one 45-minute private lesson with an artist-faculty member.
The Chamber Music Intensive is a fantastic opportunity for students to perform a substantial chamber work and to immerse themselves in a musically rewarding, energetic, and fun environment for an entire week.
When and Where
CMI 2025 will take place July 28-August 1, 2025 at White Hall & Ives Concert Hall on the midtown campus of the Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT. CMI is a day program, running from 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM with concerts on select evenings.
Eligibility
CMI is open to advanced youth musicians ages 21 and under who play orchestral instruments, piano, and saxophone.
Application and Audition Information
To apply for the 2025 Chamber Music Intensive (CMI) click here.
Click here to view audition requirements and application information.
Chamber & Orchestra Performance Program (COPP)
Program Description
COPP is open to participants ages 21 and under who play orchestral instruments and saxophone and who have at least two years of experience on their instruments. The Chamber & Orchestra Performance Program offers youth musicians the opportunity to develop solo, chamber, and orchestral skills through a varied and dynamic array of activities that involve working with artist-faculty, special guest artists, composers, and clinicians. In addition to the world-class CIMF artist-faculty, guest artists in the past have included “From the Top" Host and pianist Peter Dugan, GRAMMY-winning bassist Ranaan Meyer, violinist Charles Yang, and composer Kevin Puts in addition to other award-winning musicians including cellist Julian Schwarz, violinist Giora Schmidt, pianist Marika Bournaki, and composers Justin Dello Joio, Nina C. Young, Jared Miller, and Kati Agócs. Throughout the week, participants work with all of our faculty and artists in chamber music groups, orchestra, master classes, private lessons, and specialized sessions.
The COPP Participant Experience
The Chamber and Orchestra Performance Program (COPP) at the Charles Ives Music Festival offers a comprehensive and immersive experience for musicians interested in both chamber music and orchestral performance. This day program runs from Monday, August 4th to Sunday, August 10th, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and provides participants with the opportunity to rehearse, perform, and refine their ensemble skills under the guidance of world-class artist-faculty.
Each participant will be placed in at least one chamber ensemble, coached by CIMF faculty, and will perform in the participant chamber ensemble concert on Sunday, August 10th. In addition, all participants will play in the CIMF Orchestra, conducted by Eric Mahl, with repertoire featuring a concert opener, a concerto movement, and a major symphonic work.
Select participants may be invited to join the CIMF Chamber Orchestra, a smaller ensemble that will perform one or two works during the CIMF Orchestra concert on Thursday, August 7th. Orchestral seating and chamber orchestra placement are determined by auditions and, where applicable, their participation in the Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra (WCYO).
Beyond rehearsals, participants will attend faculty-led masterclasses, sectionals, and workshops on topics such as:
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Improvisation
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Alexander Technique
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Audition Preparation
COPP participants receive complimentary tickets to all CIMF artist-faculty concerts. These concerts provide a valuable opportunity to observe world-class musicians in performance and connect with faculty members outside of rehearsals.
The Instrumental Experience
The COPP program is structured to provide instrument-specific training tailored to the unique demands of strings, winds, brass, and percussionists.
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Chamber Music All participants perform in at least one chamber group coached by CIMF artist-faculty, culminating in a final concert on Sunday, August 10th.
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Orchestral Training Musicians participate in the CIMF Orchestra, with opportunities to earn leadership roles as principal players.
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Sectionals & Studio Classes Faculty members provide instrument-specific coaching, including technical development, orchestral training, and solo repertoire feedback.
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Percussion Ensemble Percussionists work with Russell Fisher in a dedicated percussion ensemble, in addition to their orchestral responsibilities.
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Private Lessons Each participant receives a 45-minute lesson with a CIMF faculty member.
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CIMF Concerto Competition Open to all COPP participants, the winner will perform as a soloist with the CIMF Orchestra at the Thursday, August 7th concert.
The Composition Program
The Charles Ives Music Festival is committed to nurturing the next generation of American composers through its Composition Program, which runs alongside COPP. Directed by composer Jon Cziner, the program offers young composers the opportunity to have their music workshopped, performed, and professionally recorded.
Composition participants will:
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Have a chamber work rehearsed and performed by CIMF Artist-Faculty or guest artists.
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Have either a second chamber work read by faculty or an orchestral work read by the CIMF Orchestra.
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Receive private lessons from Jon Cziner or CIMF Artistic Director Paul Frucht.
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Participate in daily composition seminars covering orchestration, repertoire, and contemporary techniques, featuring guest composers and CIMF faculty.
Note: Composition participants are also required to perform in the CIMF Orchestra (and possibly chamber ensembles) unless they are pianists.
COPP 2025 Concert Schedule
Tuesday, August 5 at 7:00 PM: CIMF Artist Concert at MoCA CT in Westport, CT
Thursday, August 7 at 7:00 PM: CIMF Orchestras and Composers at TBD
Saturday, August 9 at 6:30 PM: CIMF Artist Concert at Ives Concert Hall, Danbury, CT
Sunday, August 10 at 12 PM & 3 PM: COPP Chamber Ensembles Concerts at Ives Concert Hall
Eligibility
COPP is open to youth musicians ages 21 and under who play orchestral instruments including saxophone, and have at least 2 years of experience playing their instruments.
When and Where
COPP 2025 will take place August 4-10, 2025 at White Hall & Ives Concert Hall on the midtown campus of Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT. COPP is a day program, running from 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM with concerts on select evenings.
Application and Audition Information
To apply for the 2025 Chamber and Orchestral Performance Program (COPP) click here.
Click here to view audition requirements and application information.
