Coaching the Brass Quintet: Developing Better Student Musicians Through Chamber Music

Abstract

The brass quintet is currently one of the most predominant outlets for brass players to gain vital chamber music experience in the university setting. As a result, the role of applied brass instructors at universities has evolved into a role that is not entirely different than that of a conductor. The applied instructor plays the role of chamber coach, often without the skills necessary to provide the students with the skills they need for chamber music playing. This document seeks to provide the novice brass chamber coach with a guide as to the role of the applied professor in the musical and extra-musical development of young players. It will provide vital information for the coach that includes rehearsal strategies as well as samples of common performance issues found in the repertoire. While the amount of different rehearsal strategies and concepts is vast, this document aims to give the novice coach a primer for the instruction of student chamber ensembles. The scope of the document is not meant to firmly set out a standard for rehearsals, but rather to give suggestions as to how the instructor can prepare students for successful chamber music experiences without having ever taught chamber music before.