At the Heart of Chamber Music

by Gillian Rogell

2009

At the Heart of Chamber Music is an engaging and fun DVD for music students at all levels.

The DVD " is perfect for the younger students because [it] gives them the next step in playing and becoming the music, and they bring these techniques into the orchestral ensemble as well. For the more advanced students, [it] reinforces the true purpose of chamber music and their performances become much more sensitive and passionate. I?m going to show [it] to my choral students because the principles are exactly the same in vocal music." -High School Strings Director, California

" After 10 years of teaching, I finally figured out that chamber music is the whole show - it builds independent skills, trains ears for balance, phrases, and style. [In your DVD] my students can see other students of all kinds playing well .The fact that the video is in segments makes it easy to present one idea at a time. The 4 big ideas are fantastic and easy to understand. The examples of the rehearsals are so clear - even my beginners are going to see how it really works! I'll be using this with my students at every level for many years." -Music Teacher, Missouri

Hosted by dynamic teaching artist Gillian Rogell (New England Conservatory) with commentary from cellist Paul Katz, At the Heart of Chamber Music follows three ensembles as they're coached by Rogell and the award-winning Jupiter Quartet.

This DVD " conveys the deepest concepts, issues and solutions in the clearest and most supportive ways, and to every level of player, making this a truly ground-breaking effort." -Marcus Thompson, New England Conservatory, Boston, MA.

" I showed the DVD to both orchestra classes and we had a very spirited discussion about its contents. It was perfect for the younger students who are new to chamber music because the DVD gives them the next step in really playing and becoming the music. They can also bring these techniques into the orchestral ensemble as well. For the more advanced students, the DVD reinforced the true purpose of chamber music and in performances they gave after seeing the DVD, their playing was much more sensitive and passionate. I am going to show the DVD to my choral students as well because I think the principles are exactly the same in vocal music."
—David Martin, Director of Strings, Aragon High School San Mateo California

" [In] this beautiful video, my students can see other students of all kinds playing well - and ahead to the idea that they can play chamber music as amateur adults. The fact that the video is in segments makes it easy to present one idea at a time. Your 4 big ideas are fantastic and easy to understand. The examples of the rehearsals are so clear - even my beginners are going to see how it really works! I can't thank you enough! I'll be using this with my students at every level for many years."
—Jenny Klinkenburg, MO

" ...this DVD gets kids in the back rows of orchestras engaged with the music and feel like they are really a part of the music in the orchestra. So it's helpful to teachers whether or not they have chamber music programs in their schools."
—President of Kansas ASTA

At the Heart of Chamber Music has been aired on select PBS stations, and has won two 'Telly' Awards.

Gillian Rogell, a violist, teaches at New England Conservatory, the Walnut Hill School, and her private chamber music studio in Brookline, Massachusetts.

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