Instrumental Awards for Chamber Music Scheme (IAS)

The Instrumental Awards for Chamber Music Scheme (IAS) enables students to participate in high-quality chamber music at the University. It is an intercollegiate scheme open to undergraduates and graduates at all Colleges.

Award holders comprise outstanding chamber musicians from across the University, and many follow in the footsteps of their predecessors to pursue professional careers as performers.

You apply to the scheme from 1 September and audition for places at the beginning of each academic year. The first round of solo repertoire is followed by a round of chamber music, before successful applicants are placed in groups. You can also be considered for a place in the flagship Cambridge University Orchestra through the same audition procedure.

From piano duos to string quartets and brass dectets, IAS ensembles play together over the course of a year (and often for the whole of award holders’ time at Cambridge), and their members are encouraged to develop long-term performing relationships together as chamber musicians.

Ensembles are coached regularly by leading specialist chamber musicians, including Margaret Faultless, Martin Outram, John Myerscough (and other members of the Doric Quartet), Melanie Ragge and Andrew West. Award holders have also received coaching from the Amatis Trio and have participated in masterclasses with the Emerson Quartet and composer Nico Muhly.

Award holders also receive financial assistance of up to £140 towards individual instrumental lessons plus an award of £100 from their college.

Regular performances enable students to develop musically as individuals and as chamber groups. The scheme provides opportunities for performances throughout the year, with selected groups chosen to perform in showcase concerts and special projects.

The Instrumental Awards Scheme is an intercollegiate scheme administered by the Centre for Music Performance.

Any questions?

Please make sure you read all the information on this page. If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at info@cmp.cam.ac.uk.

What does being an award holder involve, and how much time is required?

As an award holder you will be placed in an ensemble who you will work with for the rest of the year. Together with your ensemble, you will need to:

Arrange to meet two or three times a week (4–6 hours per week) during termtime to work on repertoire and improve your ensemble playing. We suggest you set up a regular time slot to rehearse together.
Attend six coaching sessions per year with guest professionals.
Give regular performances. You will need to arrange your own concerts (at least one in the first term and two in the second term) and may also be invited to perform in the showcase concerts and special projects.

We hope that as an Award Holder you will also play an active role in music-making within your college and across the University.

Students from all subjects can take part in the IAS, but it is worth considering how many hours a week you are willing and able to devote to your playing, and how a commitment to your chamber group will fit around your academic studies. Life at Cambridge is very busy (but rewarding!), and you do need to be organised in order to balance academic and IAS commitments.

Who can apply?

The IAS is open to both new and current students at all colleges, and you can apply in any or all years during your time at Cambridge.

What standard do I need to be?

You should have achieved at least Distinction at Grade VIII of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), or other equivalent qualification, to apply for the scheme. Successful candidates are usually of Associated Board Diploma standard or equivalent.

What instruments are eligible?

Players of the following instruments are eligible to apply:

Brass	Keyboard	Strings	Wind
French horn* Trombone Trumpet Tuba	Piano	Cello Double bass Guitar Harp** Viola Violin	Bassoon Clarinet Flute Oboe

_{*French horn players will be considered for both wind and brass ensembles.

**Awards for these instruments are dependent on instrumental combinations in any given year. The managers reserve the right to offer associate membership. Associate members participate in one project and holders are entitled to half the benefits of a full award.}

Applying on a historic instrument

The scheme also considers applications from period instrument players. If you are considering applying on a historical instrument, please contact info@cmp.cam.ac.uk at the earliest opportunity in advance of submitting your application.

How do I apply?

You need to complete an application form. Having received your application, we will invite you to audition. You can read more about the audition process below.

Apply for the IAS

Applications for 2023–24 open at 9am on 1 September and close at 9am on 22 September.

What if I want to apply for IAS and the orchestras?

If you want to apply to IAS only:

fill in the IAS application form by 22 September
you will be invited to a solo audition with professional auditioners (IAS Solo Round), and need to perform the set IAS solo repertoire
if you are successful at your solo audition, you will be invited for a group audition (IAS Chamber Round), and need to perform the set IAS chamber repertoire

If you want to apply to orchestra only:

fill in the orchestra application form by 5 October
you will be invited to a solo audition with student auditioners (Orchestra Round 1), and need to perform a piece of your own choice
if you are successful, you will be invited to a further solo audition with professional auditioners (Orchestra Round 2), where you need to perform:
- a piece of your own choice
- orchestral excerpts

If you want to apply to IAS and orchestra:

fill in the IAS application form by 22 September and make sure you tick the ‘orchestra’ box
you will be invited to a solo audition with professional auditioners (IAS Solo Round / Orchestra Round 2), and need to perform:
- the set IAS solo repertoire
- the orchestral excerpts
if you are successful at your solo audition, you will be invited for a group audition (IAS Chamber Round), and need to perform the set IAS chamber repertoire

What happens at the audition?

SOLO ROUND

All instruments except piano

You will be invited to a solo audition, which will take place at West Road Concert Hall on Friday 6 October (viola) or Saturday 7 October 2023.

Auditions will take 12 minutes.
You will be asked to perform set solo repertoire (see below).
Those applying on historical instruments will be sent set solo repertoire by email.
If you are also applying for Cambridge University Orchestra, you will be asked to perform orchestral excerpts (see below).
You may be asked questions by the panel.
You are not required to play repeats in the set repertoire.

Piano only

Due to the large number of piano applicants, there is an additional round for pianists.

A: Video round

You will need to upload a video as part of your application. This must be received by 9am on 22 September 2023. Please ensure you read the instructions on making your video audition (see below).

You will need to perform set solo repertoire (see below).
Please send your video as an unlisted YouTube link in your application form.
You are not required to play repeats in the set repertoire.

B: In-person round

If your video audition is successful, you will be invited for an in-person audition playing with another instrumentalist on Thursday 5 October 2023 (evening) at West Road Concert Hall.

Auditions will take 10 minutes.
You will be asked to perform set repertoire (see below) – a movement from a sonata with another instrumentalist.
The other instrumentalist will be provided.
You may be asked questions by the panel.

CHAMBER ROUND

If successful in the solo auditions, you will be invited back to the chamber auditions on Sunday 8 October (afternoon/evening) at West Road Concert Hall. You will be placed in chamber groups with other candidates, playing the set pieces of chamber repertoire (see below)*. The auditioners will coach your ensemble or ask you to rehearse together.

You will be asked to be available for a session of 1–3 hours (although you will not be playing for all of this).
You should be prepared to play any part from the pieces listed relevant to your instrument (e.g., both first and second violin parts in a string quartet).

_{*Those applying on historical instruments will be sent set chamber repertoire by email. Players of guitar, harp and double bass who are successful in the solo round will be contacted individually.}

Guidelines for making your video audition (piano only)

Although it is important that we can hear and see you play clearly, it is the quality of the performance that is being assessed, not the quality of the recording. We do not expect you to have to go out of your way to source any specialist equipment. Even with limited technology, recordings can project and communicate musical ideas.

Recording instructions

Please record all the set repertoire [link]. It is up to you in which order you play it.
You should record your audition in a single, unedited take.
Use a single static camera where you and your hands are always visible.

Submission

Please send your video as an unlisted YouTube link in your application form by 9am on 22 September 2023. You will receive a receipt of your submission.

Tips

Most smartphones and tablets will create a recording of sufficient quality.
Make sure there is enough storage on the device for the recording before starting.
Experiment with the placement of the recording equipment, microphone direction, performer, music stand, and lighting.
Make test recordings before the complete recording. You could send these to your teacher for advice if you are unsure.
Ensure the recording has no extraneous sounds. Simple steps include ensuring that all notifications and apps that are running in the background are switched off; airplane mode is enabled, and any windows in the room are closed.
Check the final recording before submitting.

Set repertoire 2023–24

Set repertoire changes every year. The 2023–24 repertoire is as follows.

We believe financial constraints should not be a barrier to participation. If the cost of sheet music for the auditions is prohibitive, please contact info@cmp.cam.ac.uk FAO Chloe Davidson to confidentially discuss finances.

If you are having difficulty accessing repertoire, please contact info@cmp.cam.ac.uk.

SOLO ROUND

Solo repertoire

You may play from any edition of the set repertoire. Links and suggestions of edition are provided below where publicly available* to facilitate your preparation.
_{*Links below are for music in the public domain in the UK. If you are based in another country, please check the copyright rules for accessing music in your country. In particular, the US rules differ from many other countries.}

WOODWIND

Instrument	Solo set repertoire 2023–24	Links to sheet music in public domain (UK)
Bassoon	1. Milde 50 Concert Studies, Op.26 – No.5	Cundy-Bettoney edition available at imslp
	2. Nielsen Wind quintet, Op.43 – movement 3 – Variation 7 only	Hansen edition available at imslp
	3. Jacob Partita for solo bassoon – movements 1, 2, 3	Not in public domain. Published by Oxford University Press, c.£9 to purchase from Boosey. Set for exams so widely available.
Clarinet	1. Stravinsky 3 Pieces for Solo Clarinet, K033 – own choice of one movement	Not in public domain. Published by Chester Music, c.£11 to purchase from Trinity College. Set for exams so widely available.
Clarinet	2. Jacob Five Pieces for solo clarinet – ‘Waltz’, ‘Homage to JSB’, ‘Scherzo and Trio’	Not in public domain. Published by Oxford University Press, c.£11 to purchase from Boosey. Set for exams so widely available.
Flute	1. Telemann 12 Fantasias for Flute without Bass, TWV 40:2-13 – Fantasia No.6 in D minor	Barenreiter edition available at imslp
Flute	2. Hindemith 8 Pieces for Solo Flute – No.2, 6, 7, 8	Not in public domain. Published by Schott, c.£13.50 to purchase from Just Flutes. Set for exams, so widely available.
Oboe	1. Telemann 12 Fantasias for Flute without Bass, TWV 40:2-13 – Fantasie No.2 in A minor – Adagio, Allegro	Barenreiter edition available at imslp
Oboe	2. Britten Six Metamorphoses after Ovid, Op.49 – No.3 ‘Niobe’, No.4 ‘Bacchus’	Not in public domain. Published by Boosey & Hawkes, c.£15 to purchase from ABRSM. Set for exams so widely available.

BRASS

Instrument	Solo set repertoire 2023–24	Links to sheet music in public domain (UK)
Horn	Arnold Fantasy for Horn, Op.88	Not in public domain. Published by Faber, c.£7.50 to purchase from Faber. Set for exams, so widely available.
Trombone	Arnold Fantasy for Trombone, Op.101	Not in public domain. Published by Faber, c.£4 to purchase as digital download from Boosey.
Trumpet	Arnold Fantasy for Trumpet, Op.100	Not in public domain. Published by Faber, c.£4 to purchase as digital download from Boosey.
Tuba	Arnold Fantasy for Tuba, Op.102	Not in public domain. Published by Faber, c.£4 to purchase as digital download from Boosey.

STRINGS

Instrument	Solo set repertoire 2023–24	Links to sheet music in public domain (UK)
Cello	1. Henze Serenade for solo cello – movements 1, 3, 5, 7	Not in public domain. Published by Schott, c.£12 to purchase from Boosey.
	2. EITHER: JS Bach Cello suite No.2 in D minor, BWV 1008 – Allemande	Barenreiter edition (“Complete Score Text I”) available at imslp
	*OR:* JS Bach Cello suite No.3 in C major, BWV 1009 – Courante	Barenreiter edition (“Complete Score Text I”) available at imslp
Double Bass	Ellis Sonata for Unaccompanied Double Bass, Op.42	Not in public domain. Published by Yorke, c.£6 to purchase from Opus 13.
Viola	1. JS Bach Cello suite No.4 in E flat major (arr. for viola), BWV 1010 – *EITHER:* Courante *OR:* Sarabande	Main page for BWV 1010 on imslp. Suggested viola edition available at imslp: Yokoyama (“For Viola (Yokoyama) Complete Score (without slurs)”). For slurs, please refer to the Barenreiter edition for cello (“Complete Score (Text I)” available at imslp.
Viola	2. Hoffmeister 12 Etudes for Viola – No.5	Unknown edition (early 19th century) available at imslp.
Violin	1. JS Bach Violin partita No.1 in B minor, BWV 1002 – Sarabande	Barenreiter edition available at imslp.
Violin	2. Ysaÿe Sonata for solo violin in A minor, Op.27 No.2 ‘Jacques Thibaud’ – Obsession; Prelude	Ysaÿe edition available at imslp.

NON-ORCHESTRAL

Instrument	Solo set repertoire 2023–24	Links to sheet music in public domain (UK)
Guitar	Giuliani Sonata eroica, Op.150	Ricordi edition available at imslp. (This is not the clearest scan but is the best freely available edition. Do use another edition if you prefer.)
Harp	Pierné Impromptu-caprice, Op.9	Leduc edition available at imslp
Piano	1. Chopin Impromptu in C sharp minor, Op.66	Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne (PWM) edition (1990, editor: Jan Ekier) available at imslp
Piano	2. Chopin Prelude in C sharp minor, Op.28 No.10	Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne (PWM) edition (1992, editor: Jan Ekier) available at imslp

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE

Instrument	Solo set repertoire 2023–24	Links to sheet music in public domain (UK)
Harpsichord	1. Du Phly Pièces de clavecin, Livre 3 – No.4 ‘La Forqueray’ (no repeats)	Available at imslp
Harpsichord	2. Froberger Toccata in G (DTÖ Toccata No.7)	Available at imslp
Recorder	1. Van Eyck Der Fluyten Lust-hof – own choice of one tune, psalm or fantasia (plus variations if relevant)	Original edition available at imslp. Modern edition published by Amadeus: Vol.1: c.£19.50 to purchase from ABRSM. Set for exams so widely available. Vol.2: c.£16.50 to purchase from ABRSM. Set for exams so widely available.
Recorder	2. Telemann 12 Fantasias for Flute without Bass, TWV 40:2-13 – own choice of one fantasia	Barenreiter edition available at imslp. Original edition available at imslp for reference.
Viola da gamba	1. Telemann 12 Fantasias for Viol without Bass, TWV 40:26-37 – Fantasia No.6 in G major	Available at imslp – there is a transcription by Phillip W Serna but you may like to check it against the scan of the first edition.
Viola da gamba	2. Tobias Hume The First Part of Ayres, French, Pollish and Others – No.13 ‘Deth’	Available at imslp – suggest transcription by Phillip W Serna

Orchestral excerpts

If you would also like to be considered for Cambridge University Orchestra, you will need to prepare orchestral excerpts. These are available on the Orchestral Auditions 2023-24 page.

SOLO ROUND B (PIANO ONLY)

Sheet music will be provided at the audition so that everyone is playing from the same edition. You can find parts to prepare from below.

Ensemble	Chamber set repertoire 2023–24	Edition in audition	Links to sheet music in public domain (UK)
Violin duo	Brahms Violin sonata No.3 in D minor, Op.108 – movement 1	Breitkopf	Breitkopf edition available at imslp.

CHAMBER ROUND

Sheet music will be provided at the audition so that everyone is playing from the same edition. You can find parts to prepare from below.

Ensemble	Chamber set repertoire 2023–24	Edition in audition	Links to sheet music in public domain (UK)
Piano trio	Schubert Piano trio in E flat major, D.929 – movement 1	Barenreiter	Barenreiter edition available at imslp
String quartet	Beethoven String quartet No.6 in B flat major, Op.18 No.6 – movement 1	Henle	Breitkopf and Hartel edition available at imslp.
Wind quintet	Patterson Westerly Winds, Op.84 – No.2 ‘Widecombe Jan’, No.4 ‘The Looe Bar Lady’	Weinberger	Not in public domain. Published by Weinberger, c.£20 to purchase from Boosey. We will provide access to parts after application.
Brass quintet	Ewald Brass Quintet No.1, Op.5	MP Belaieff	MP Belaieff edition available at imslp.

Award Managers

The Instrumental Awards Scheme is an intercollegiate scheme administered by the Centre for Music Performance. The scheme is directed by a committee drawn from across the colleges and University.

Role	Name	University/College Position(s)
Director	Dr David Trippett	Professor of Music and Director of Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Music Director of Studies in Music, Christ’s College
Artistic Director	Professor Margaret Faultless	Director of Performance, Faculty of Music Director of Performance, Centre for Music Performance Musician in Residence, St John’s College
Treasurer	Dr Paul Wingfield	Director of Studies in Music, Trinity College
Manager	Dr Sam Barrett	Professor of Early Medieval Music, Faculty of Music Director of Studies in Music, Pembroke College
Manager	Dr Martin Ennis	Associate Professor in Music, Faculty of Music Director of Studies in Music and Director of Music, Girton College
Manager	Christopher Lawrence	Bursar, Newnham College
CMP Representative	Chloe Davidson	Manager, Centre for Music Performance