Ensembles
One-on-one lessons with our talented teachers offer students invaluable learning opportunities, but the chance to play with peers provides another dimension to music education. Ensembles allow students to hear how they contribute to a group and build collaborative skills. The Community School supports various ensemble classes.
We are now accepting applications for Large Ensembles for the 2026–27 academic year – Apply Now!
Scholarships available for Band and Advanced Orchestra programs.
Ed and Mari Edelman Chamber Music Institute
The Ed and Mari Edelman Chamber Music Institute offers one of the most comprehensive and intense pre-college level chamber music learning experiences of any music school in North America. Students are coached weekly by members of Colburn’s nationally acclaimed faculty.
Ensembles from the Institute have been prizewinners in numerous competitions, including the Fischoff Competition, Coltman Chamber Music Competition and the Young Artists Peninsula Music Festival, and have received engagements to perform on the nationally syndicated Public Radio International Series From the Top as well as with Chamber Music Society at Lincoln Center.
The Ed and Mari Edelman Chamber Music Institute is currently accepting applications for the 2025–26 academic year. Students will work towards polished final performances, with additional emphasis placed on score study, historical placement of the selected compositions, style, and deep listening. Students will be grouped in traditional chamber ensembles and collaborate with other students and work with experienced faculty.
Jazz Groups
The Community School has several instrumental ensembles, including small combos and a Big Band, devoted to the performance of jazz repertoire and the development of the students’ musical concepts, improvisations, and compositions.
All instruments (including stringed instruments) are welcome in these ensembles. Groups perform and record each semester, and rehearsal and performance attendance is mandatory.
A number of Colburn Jazz Workshop groups have advanced to the finals of the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, where they have garnered a several group and individual student awards. Students have also been honored in the DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards, The Music Center’s Spotlight Competition, and by the National YoungArts Foundation. Past master class clinicians include Wynton Marsalis, Eric Reed, Joe LaBarbera, Reggie Thomas, and John Clayton.
Colburn’s Adult Jazz Workshops consist of musicians who are proficient on their instruments and experienced in jazz studies. Various styles of jazz repertoire are explored and learned aurally along with discussion of theory and approaches to improvisation. This ensemble is a great opportunity to grow individually and as a cohesive unit in an encouraging, challenging environment.
The Adult Jazz Workshops meet for 13 weeks during the semester. The rehearsal schedule will be shared with students at the first rehearsal on January 25, 2026. There will be no class on April 5, 2026.
There will be a culminating concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Mayman Hall at 5:30 pm.
Audition required for new students. Please contact Liz Kinnon before enrolling at ekinnon@colburnschool.edu.
Large Ensembles and Orchestras
Musicians in String Ensemble focus on developing orchestral performance techniques, musicianship, ensemble skills, and sight-reading. String Ensemble is made up of about 30 violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. Repertoire is in the intermediate range
Age minimum: 5th grade; 10 years old by September 1, 2026
Musicians in String Orchestra have achieved a level of intermediate or advanced musicianship and can tackle the challenge of a more advanced repertoire. String Orchestra is made up of about 35 violins, violas, cellos, and double basses.
Each year String Orchestra performs a Baroque-era concerto grosso that features soloists from the ensemble.
Age minimum: 6th grade; 11 years old by September 1, 2026
The Colburn Youth Philharmonic will replace the Colburn Youth Orchestra as the premiere orchestral ensemble of the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts (CSPA). In its inaugural year, it will be a comprehensive addition to Colburn’s NEW Advanced Musicians Performance Program. Colburn’s top orchestra is renowned for its high level of artistry and musical excellence. This ensemble is dedicated to performing a diverse repertoire that spans from standard and contemporary symphonic literature to newly commissioned works and unique arrangements created specifically for the orchestra.
The Colburn Youth Philharmonic’s dynamic programming is designed to challenge and inspire its young musicians, highlight the technical skill and artistic maturity of the ensemble, and contributing to the evolution of orchestral music. This ensemble performs at some of the most prestigious venues in Los Angeles, including the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Alex Theatre in Glendale, the Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and soon at Colburn’s new concert hall, Kohl Hall.
Age requirements: 13–18
The Colburn Youth Orchestra (CYO) is the 2nd orchestral ensemble at the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts (CSPA), dedicated to providing young musicians with the experience of performing large-scale symphonic works throughout the academic year. This ensemble offers students a comprehensive introduction to the demands and rewards of performing in a full orchestral setting and focuses on developing essential skills like playing in a variety of styles with a high-level expressive musicianship.
The CYO fosters an environment where students can grow as musicians, learning the importance of musical teamwork, and the intricacies of orchestral balance and interpretation. This experience not only enhances their technical abilities but also instills a deep appreciation for the collaborative nature of orchestral music.
Age requirements: 13–18
Small Ensembles and Workshops
Adult group classes are semester based and will be held eight times for 60 minutes each per fall and spring semester, and six times in summer. Actual meeting dates to be arranged with Ms. Lundgren. Please contact klundgren@colburnschool.edu for approval to enroll.
The Cello Ensemble, designed for both Suzuki and traditional cello students, is the entry level ensemble for the Community School of Performing Arts pre-college orchestra program. Emphasis is placed on reinforcing reading skills, refining ensemble playing, and introducing how to follow a conductor.
Duration:
Weekly on Wednesday from 7–7:50 pm
Pre-requisites:
Participants must study in weekly private lessons and have rhythm and note reading skills equivalent to “I Can Read Music” Book 1 by Joanne Martin. Previous group class, ensemble, or orchestral experience is strongly encouraged but not required.
Minimum age requirement:
Third grade and must be 8 years old by September 1, 2026
Recommended minimum level of playing: Scherzo by Webster (Suzuki Cello Book 3)
Audition Information:
Auditions for the 2026–27 academic year will be held through an online submission process. More information coming soon.
We’re excited to announce a new ensemble opportunity for young, advanced violinists! Led by Aimée Kreston, the Colburn Fiddles on Fire! will rehearse and perform a wide range of exciting repertoire, both traditional and non-traditional. Students will have a fun and challenging musical experience, develop ensemble skills, hone advanced techniques, and give powerful musical performances.
Requirements:
Open to violinists ages 6–12
Suzuki Book 5 or higher
Recommendation from private instructor
Video pre-screening and live audition required
For intermediate and advanced students. This ensemble will meet 12 times per semester.
Please contact the instructor, Ryan Baird, at rbaird@colburnschool.edu for rehearsal schedule and approval to enroll.
Enjoy learning new repertoire from around the world and through the centuries specially curated for guitar trios, quartets and quintets! Coached by award-winning composer, arranger and recording artist Kenton Youngstrom, MM, performers learn critical rehearsal and performance skills playing classical, jazz, rock and ethnic music. The music scores and parts are written in both standard notation and tablature and audio files for practicing are available for download.
Students must be pre-approved to enroll. Email Kenton Youngstrom at kyoungstrom@colburnschool.edu.
Instructor Approval Required. Email Ken McGrath at kmcgrath@colburnschool.edu.
This ensemble will rehearse 12 times each semester. The rehearsal schedule will be shared with students and parents prior to the first rehearsal.
For students Grade 6-8 with at least one year of private instruction or comparable experience. This class is an opportunity for percussion students to enhance and expand upon their existing percussion studies in a fun and collaborative environment. Activities will include percussion chamber music, solo performing, accessory instrument techniques and an introduction to peak performance methods. Each semester will culminate in a concert of chamber and solo works.
Designed for both Suzuki and traditional violin students, the Violin Ensemble (VE), is an entry-level ensemble for the Community School of Performing Arts pre-college orchestra program. Emphasis is placed on reinforcing reading skills, developing musicianship, and introducing orchestral performance techniques, such as learning proper violin posture when seated with a music stand and how to read and mark a music score.
Bands
Colburn Youth Wind Ensemble is an ensemble designed for middle school and high school wind and percussion students who demonstrate playing ability at the intermediate level. Conducted by Eleanor Núñez, repertoire includes original and arranged works for winds, brass, and percussion. No previous band experience is required. This ensemble emphasizes music reading, musicianship, and ensemble skills.
Duration
Rehearsals: Sundays, 4:30–7 pm
Colburn Youth Winds is Colburn’s premiere youth winds, brass, and percussion ensemble comprised of select high school wind and percussion students who demonstrate advanced technical proficiency, musical maturity, and a commitment to excellence. With a focus on challenging original and transcribed repertoire for winds, the ensemble offers an intensive experience designed to refine ensemble playing, elevate musical interpretation, and strengthen individual preparation.
Duration
Sundays, 10am–12 pm
Choirs
This ensemble introduces young singers to choral singing. The group will focus on fundamentals of singing, solfeggio, listening, and basic music theory concepts. The ensemble rehearses weekly and performs on one major concert per semester.
Age requirement: 6-10 years
This ensemble prepares students for the Colburn Concert Choir and is ideal for youth who enjoy singing and exploring music with a supportive group of peers. Students will explore the fundamentals of singing, breathing, sight-reading, and solfeggio, and will rehearse and perform diverse choral repertoire. The ensemble rehearses weekly and performs on one major concert per semester.
Age requirement: 10-14 years
The Colburn Concert Choir is the highest-level choral ensemble offered. Students will be challenged with advanced choral repertoire that spans multiple genres. Additionally, students will develop their sight reading, ear training, and music theory knowledge. The ensemble rehearses weekly and performs on one major concert per semester.
Age requirement: 14-20 years