Chamber Music Groups
Tutors: Katharina Baker, Gillian Mott, Noreen McDermott, Yuki Nishioka, Clare Sawtell


In Coole Music we encourage string and wind students to play together in different chamber groups as soon as the young musicians can comfortably play with all their left hand fingers and have a basic understanding of music reading. In these chamber groups every player has their own part to play that they need to hold against the other parts. This develops vital musicianship skills in the most effective and enjoyable way.

Most of Coole Music's string players experience chamber music for the first time at the age of 7 or 8 during our annual 'Play Day' in early spring, when up to 14 chamber groups are brought together to work for a day with tutors from both Coole Music and outside.
In previous years we were fortunate to have the ConTempo String Quartet teaching with us. The Play Day always ends with a very enjoyable informal concert.

It is often through The Play Day that new groups are formed that then continue on a more regular basis. Currently we have 7 active chamber music groups: Shanwalla String Quartet, Kylnano String Quartet (both named after woods in Coole Park), Joraalja String Quartet, KHAM String Quartet, AAJA String Quartet, Fierse Trio and Clarinet Quintet.

The groups that meet regularly build up a performance repertoire that then can be used for gigs at launches, receptions, poetry readings, as dinner music or in church contexts. Our string quartets have been very active in the local community at numerous occasions.

The repertoire for our young quartets is largely new original pieces written by Katharina Baker along with standard junior quartet music by Sheila Nelson.