Nothing is more delightful for musicians than playing with others in a small group. Whether it’s a jazz trio, a bluegrass band, a rock group, or a string quartet, small groups offer us the chance to share music with others in the most personal way. Instead of watching the conductor’s baton, we watch one another and communicate with small gestures, nods, raised eyebrows, and, of course, through the music itself.

Since its founding in 2009, Marin Community Music School has always attracted amateur classical musicians to its coached chamber music program. And while COVID restrictions put the program on hold for a couple of years, it’s happily come back to life with a wonderful new coach, flutist Carol Adee, who brings a fresh, welcoming approach to her students.

“Playing with other people is not only interesting and fun and rewarding, it makes people more aware of how music comes together,” Carol says. “It accustoms us to holding an inner sense of time while also being aware of other people.”

The Summer program met Wednesday evenings from July 26 through August 23.  At the final meeting, the players entertained one another with informal performances of Kuhlau’s Grand Quartet for flutes, Beethoven’s opus 11 Piano Trio, and the Piano Quartet opus 1, number 2 by Johann Gottlieb Naumann (1740-1801), pictured above.

The program resumes on October 4, 2023, under the guidance of violinist/violist Tara Flandreau. Learn more here.