In a bid to improve the chance of success for young musicians in a “rapidly evolving classical music world,” the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach is launching a mentorship initiative.
The Rising Artists Program, a one-week residency in Palm Beach scheduled for Jan. 5-12, 2025, is open to emerging and early career violinists, violists and cellists ages 20-30. The young musicians will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform with established chamber music professionals such as the society’s artistic director, violinist Arnaud Sussmann, and cellist Edward Arron, who is serving as co-director of the Rising Artists Program in its first year.
In addition to the music-making, the program will hold career development sessions in which participants will learn about launching a project or organization, and take part in community engagement and school programming, helping to inspire the next generation of musical artists.
“I would recommend this program for any emerging artist who is passionately dedicated to chamber music, eager to refine their artistry through intensive collaboration, and motivated to make a significant impact in the classical music field,” Sussmann said in a prepared statement. “This program is ideal for young musicians who are not only technically proficient but also curious, open-minded, and committed to the communal and expressive nature of chamber music.”
The society tested the program in January with a pilot run-through that welcomed violinist Nathan Meltzer, winner of the Concert Artist Guild Competition; violist Laura Liu, winner of the Kovner Fellowship; and cellist Sterling Elliott, senior division winner of the National Sphinx Competition.
“My time at the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach’s Rising Artists Program was an incredibly enjoyable and meaningful period of music-making,” Meltzer said in a prepared statement.
Applications are due Sept. 15, and participants will be announced Oct. 14. Certain participants will receive a stipend, along with coverage of housing, meal and travel expenses. Interested musicians should apply at risingartists.org or email risingartists@cmspb.org.
“The Rising Artists Program is an incredible opportunity for young musicians to immerse themselves in a rigorous and inspiring environment,” Sussmann said.
The Chamber Music Society’s 2024-25 season opens Nov. 21 at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, and features violinists Sussmann, Jennifer Frautschi and Benjamin Beilman, violist Beth Guterman, cellist Nicholas Canellakis and pianist Michael Stephen Brown. Works of the late Romantic era by Belgian composer and violinist Eugène Ysaÿe and composer Ernest Chausson are on the program. Tickets go on sale Oct. 1.
For more information, visit cmpsb.org or call 561-379-6773.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Chamber Music Society launches mentorship program
