Adult ChambeR

MUSIC PROGRAM

Opus 1’s Adult Chamber Music Program is something of a chamber music social club - an inclusive and welcoming musical home for non-professional adult players who want to share their love for music with others. Operating in tandem with Opus 1’s youth program, adult groups receive eight hours of coaching each trimester. Ending each trimester is an intimate, friendly performance for the adult ensembles, followed by a social gathering for the players, their guests, and the faculty to celebrate the occasion.

Chamber Music for

Adult Learners

Our participants range from a year or two of training, to those whose COVID project remains an important part of their lives, to former pre-professionals who have played since childhood or are looking for an outlet to revive the skill. Whatever the case may be, we’ll place you in an ensemble with others at a similar skill level.

THE OPUS 1

EXPERIENCE

At Opus 1, our year is split into trimesters: Fall, Winter, and Spring. The experience within each trimester includes:

  • Eight one-hour coachings with an Opus 1 faculty member.

  • Independent rehearsal time.

  • A chamber music masterclass led by a visiting, world-renowned teacher and performer.

  • An instrument specific masterclass led by a visiting, world-renowned teacher and performer.

  • End-of-trimester soirée concert and social event.

Adult students are invited to augment their chamber music education by enrolling in Opus 1’s Music Theory courses and by participating in Opus 1 social events.

Opus 1’s Adult program currently serves individuals of all ages studying the following instruments.

  • Violin

  • Viola

  • Cello

  • Bass

  • Piano

To learn more about our application guidelines, click the link below:

  • For the two years that I was a part of it, Opus 1 every Saturday would be one of the things I looked forward to most in the week. It was where I learned the core skills of musical collaboration that I didn't get anywhere else, and it was where I met many incredible friends and musical peers, with some of the friendships still enduring and strengthening. Some of the most fun and exciting repertoire I learned during those years were with my Opus 1 chamber group, and through hearing other groups I was exposed to a wealth of inspiring repertoire I had not known of before. Dr. Lammers and Dr. Ishikawa were some of my most valued mentors during those years and I still cherish and draw on what they taught me about musicianship and a musical life. Opus 1 was the perfect counterpart to my solo piano studies, one of my favorite places to interact with fellow musicians during my secluded homeschool life, and among all the parts of the pre-college musical community in Houston that I came in contact with, this was where I felt the most unfettered environment of love towards music-making at its most exciting. I am forever grateful for all the knowledge and joy that Opus 1 gave me during my last two years of high school and which I carry with me beyond.

    ~ Vicky Cai, Opus 1 Alumni

  • Opus 1 was among the most valuable experiences I had from its founding as I navigated high school. It was a safe space I could come to at the end of each week and wholly enjoy creating music with wonderful people.

    ~Meiling Yang, Opus 1 Alumni

  • Dr. Lammers and Dr. Ishikawa are extremely dedicated to their students and strive to provide an atmosphere where everyone grows and develops beyond their potential. Opus 1 not only gave me an outlet to perform and practice in high school, but also helped prepare me for conservatory and summer festival chamber music.

    ~ Lucy Hamilton, Opus 1 Alumni

  • This was my daughters' first chamber music experience and they learned so much about how to play musically with others. The program challenged them to grow as musicians. The coaching they received was invaluable and we highly recommend this program to others!

    Opus 1 Parent

  • I have been an adult member of OPUS since the inception. My ability is an intermediate beginner student as I started learning the cello nearly 8 years ago as my retirement gig. There are limited number of opportunities for older adults to join in musical organizations such as chamber music or community orchestra in the Houston area. There are research studies demonstrating the benefits of music and the brain for both children and adults. With OPUS 1, adult musicians, such as myself, benefit in learning new skills and maintaining community and social activities. Activities such as learning a new instrument, playing with a group of musicians improves, thwarts, or reduces cognitive decline. I appreciate that OPUS 1 allows me the opportunity to connect with liked minded adults in a nurturing an enjoyable environment. I also think my skill level as improved in my areas with plenty of opportunities for further growth. Thanks Drs. Ishikawa and Lammers for the opportunity to play chamber music.

    ~ Karen Kenny, Current Opus 1 Adult Student

FAQs

  • Coachings take place Friday evenings and Saturdays throughout the day at Chapelwood United Methodist Church. Each group is assigned a one-hour coaching block, followed by a 60 minute rehearsal block.

  • At Opus 1, we know how important it is for students to be a part of a group that not only plays well together, but enjoys spending time together. We know this because some of our closest friends were made through chamber music!

    Each trimester, we invest much time and thought into assembling our groups based on compatibility: level, personality, and availability. We also value student input and encourage students to communicate personnel requests, which we will do our best to honor if possible.

    In the event that a suitable group is unavailable, you will be placed on a wait list. If you have enrolled on a full-year basis, a tuition refund will be provided for the wait-listed trimester.

  • Each trimester consists of eleven weeks: ten weeks of available coaching time and an end-of-trimester recital. At the beginning of each trimester, students will have the opportunity to indicate their availability for each of the ten proposed coachings. From the ten available coaching weeks, the eight coachings with the highest number of attendees will be confirmed.

  • Opus 1 offers two types of enrollment: full-year and per-trimester. For per-trimester enrollment, you have the ability to indicate which of the three trimesters you wish to participate in Opus 1 and which do not work with your schedule. Please note, tuition amounts vary depending on the enrollment type.

    Full-year enrollment: $950, due at the beginning of fall trimester.

    Per-Trimester: $400 per trimester, due at the beginning of each trimester.

    Invoices will be sent in advance of the trimester, and the deadline for payment is the first coaching. 

  • Opus 1 has a need-based, no-questions-asked financial aid policy. If you require any level of financial assistance to participate in Opus 1, please mark “yes” on your enrollment form. An Opus 1 Director will reach out to you directly with assistance.

  • Adult chamber music students are welcome, but not required to attend and participate in chamber music and solo masterclasses. We do ask that all adult students perform in the end-of-trimester soirée performances.