Each composer fellow, in advance of arrival in Norfolk, will prepare a work to be coached, workshopped, rehearsed and performed by the instrumental fellows in two concerts at the conclusion of the Seminar. Performers will be formed into several mixed ensembles. They will receive frequent coachings and will have the opportunity to perform music by established twentieth century composers in addition to the works of their colleagues, resident and guest composers. The six-week Chamber Music Session constitutes Norfolk's core program. Open to individuals and preformed trios, quartets and quintets, the program offers concentrated coaching and performance opportunities for strings, woodwinds, brass, and piano.
Enrollment is limited to fifty students.
Upon arrival in Norfolk, students who are not part of a preformed group audition for ensemble placement. Several string quartets, two woodwind quintets, a brass quintet and mixed-instrument ensembles are formed. Ensembles rehearse and receive frequent coaching from the artist-faculty. Coaches rotate throughout the summer. Members of the artist-faculty are generally in residence for two weeks.