Arts Learning

40-50 advanced string students participate in the Artaria Chamber Music School program from September 2014 – May 2015. All the students divide into string quartets (10-12 quartets), experience four master classes with renowned chamber musicians, and prepare to audition for local and national chamber music competitions and events such as the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Youth Chamber Music Competition, Minnesota Variety, and Saint Paul String Quartet Competition. Regular evaluations by members of the Artaria String Quartet and feedback/comments on performances by master artists show that 95% of the students develop their artistic skills through in-depth coaching, practice, rehearsals, and performances. The same percentage of students responds positively to surveys asking if they believe they have improved their overall performance and that the Artaria Chamber Music School has been a positive experience. At least 50% of the quartets audition for competitions and 25% win prizes.Evaluation at the Artaria Chamber Music School is an ongoing process. Members of the Artaria listen to the young musicians practice each week and assess their progress since their initial audition for the program. Artaria members regularly critique individual and ensemble playing and give suggestions on how to improve. The master musicians who lead the master classes also evaluate each quartet’s performance. They offer feedback about their playing and suggestions on how to improve. The Artaria members assess the ability of the quartets to audition for competitions. The results of these auditions are also good indicators of the quartets’ progress. Finally, the young musicians complete a survey to determine how they feel about the program and how it benefited them both artistically and socially.