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 Intro to Chamber Music program is for the skilled intermediate player who is exploring chamber music for the first time. Aptitude as a solo instrumentalist with a focus on proficiency in rhythm, intonation, and note reading is essential to participate in this program. A general guideline is 2-3 years playing experience and around Suzuki Book 3/4 level for strings and piano. In addition, students need to have the maturity to work with others independently without a coach. Students will develop skills in cooperation, communication of ideas, score reading, rehearsal techniques, listening, ensemble, and performance etiquette. String, woodwind and piano students meet weekly in assigned chamber groups for independent rehearsal and coaching, and once a month in a group class setting where they will play for each other in a friendly and nurturing environment. Brass students will be grouped together and meet in larger group ensembles weekly. All groups will perform in the Intro to Chamber Ensemble Concert in May.
Recommended Ages: 8–14 years old for Piano and Strings; 11–18 years old for Brass
The Chamber Music Institute (CHMI) is open to intermediate and advanced instrumentalists with some or little chamber music experience. Groups meet weekly for two hours of coaching and rehearsal. All groups participate in the end of the year Chamber Music Recital in May. More advanced groups in the CHMI program are also offered performance opportunities on the Friday Night Recitals and School Recitals, Winter Chamber Music Recital, Honors Seminars, and outside performances. Consistency and commitment to the group schedule is commensurate with success in each group. Current students in the Honors or CHMI program are not required to re-audition for the CHMI program provided they play in the end of the year Chamber Music Recital and fill out the application form. All other students must audition at the end of May/June. The CHMI program is designed to be a training ground for the Honors program. CHMI is open to all orchestral instruments and piano.
Recommended Ages: 9–18 years old
The Honors Chamber Music program is for serious and dedicated young musicians for whom music is the top priority. Time commitment is for a minimum of three hours of rehearsal and coaching weekly. Honors groups have regular performing opportunities on the Friday Night, School and Honors Recitals and also in the greater community. All groups are encouraged to enter competitions and are expected to make the necessary preparations. Weekends must be kept open and flexible for frequent performances, masterclasses, and competitions.
Recommended Ages: must be 13 years old by September 1, 2026
Led by Aimée Kreston, Fiddles on Fire! is a dynamic, conductor-less chamber orchestra for violinists who are looking to expand their musical skills, explore exciting repertoire, and perform as part of a dedicated ensemble. The group explores a wide range of traditional and contemporary repertoire, offering students a fun and challenging musical experience while developing ensemble skills, refining advanced techniques, and preparing for powerful, engaging performances.
Enrollment is limited to nine students. Auditions are held on a rolling basis, and openings can arise throughout the year. When the ensemble is at capacity, qualified students will be placed on a waitlist.
Interested violinists should contact Program Director Aimée Kreston at akreston@colburnschool.edu to learn more about auditioning and current openings.
There is no fixed audition deadline; inquiries and auditions are welcomed throughout the year.
Student requirements:
- Open to violinists ages 8–12
- Suzuki Book 4 or higher; Scales (2-octave scales are adequate; 3-octave scales are preferred)
- Recommendation from private instructor
- Video pre-screening and live audition required
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 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
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
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 Choir, 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 orchestral performance techniques, such as learning to follow a conductor and how to read and mark a music score.
Musicians in Cello Ensemble focus on developing chamber ensemble performance techniques, musicianship, ensemble skills, and sight-reading in different genres and alternative styles. Cello Ensemble repertoire is in the intermediate range.
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.
The Colburn Saxophone Ensemble is a select chamber ensemble for intermediate to advanced saxophonists seeking a challenging and rewarding chamber music experience. Directed by Colburn Community School saxophone faculty member Dr. John Hallberg, the ensemble will rehearse and perform diverse repertoire that showcases the full range and versatility of the saxophone family while emphasizing exceptional artistry, precision, and ensemble musicianship. Repertoire is selected to challenge students and prepare performances at a high artistic level.
Saxophonists of all voice types—including soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones—are encouraged to inquire. Enrollment is by instructor approval only. For audition and enrollment approval, please contact John Hallberg at jhallberg@colburnschool.edu.
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, 6–8 pm
Colburn Youth Wind Symphony 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, 5:30 pm–8 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