Chamber Music Database now on MTNA website.(Forum focus: collaborative performance)

It's here! The long-awaited Intermediate-Level Chamber Music Database is now on the MTNA website and ready for you to explore.

MTNA's former Collaborative Performance Advisory Committee was charged with "advancing the study and performance of chamber music" and "providing opportunities for communication and collaboration among those interested in the teaching and performing of chamber music." This database represents our hopes to do just that.

There has been a resurgence of interest in chamber music. Within MTNA, a number of local associations have established thriving chamber music programs, and several states include chamber music festivals in their yearly plans for the precollege student. As some of our students continue their music study in college, they may find chamber music is a required part of their curriculum. In addition, our members often enjoy the opportunity of performing with colleagues at local association meetings.

Happily, additional initiatives also exist outside our organization. For example, interested players, regardless of age, are put in contact with each other through an international organization called the Amateur Chamber Music Players. Through the auspices of yet another organization, thousands of senior adults who love making music with others and who participate in the New Horizons Band/Orchestra program also play chamber music together.

Common to all these initiatives is the sheer pleasure of making music with like-minded individuals in a social setting. Anyone--and everyone--can participate. There are a number of excellent sources listing advanced-level chamber music repertoire. Unfortunately, for the musician who is not yet ready or interested in tackling advanced repertoire, it is difficult to find suitable alternatives. We believe this database will spark an interest, invite additions and, by its very existence, encourage the commissioning of intermediate-level repertoire for various combinations of instruments.

The result of months of work by subcommittee members Carolyn True, NCTM, Trinity University; Sylvia Wang, Northwestern University; and Judy Kehler Siebert, University of Manitoba-Winnipeg, the project received invaluable assistance from numerous individuals. It is impossible to acknowledge everyone, bur we particularly would like to thank the following MTNA members for their substantial contributions to the list: Janet Davidson, NCTM; Lora Deahl; Eugene Dowdy; Joanne Haroutounian, NCTM; Juliana Lockman, NCTM; Laura Melton and Judy Price, NCTM.

What is this database?