Chamber Music Project @ GVSU
August 11 - August 13, 2025
(Selected 2-3 groups will have an additional performance opportunity at the West Michigan Symphony’s The Block in Muskegon on 8/14, 7pm.)
Join us for a week of intense chamber music making! Days will be filled with coachings, seminars, masterclasses, and performances. Do not hesitate to email us if you have any questions:
Violin: Dr. Letitia Jap at [email protected]
Viola and Cello: Dr. Pablo Mahave-Veglia at [email protected]
Piano: Dr. Sookkyung Cho at [email protected]
We look forward to welcoming you to the GVSU campus!
Click Here for Application Form
Deadline to Apply: May 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Program Information
Playing chamber music is a vital part of becoming a well-rounded musician. It trains us to listen actively and be creative in our musical expression. It also helps us become better communicators, both in music and spoken words. The Chamber Music Project @ GV (CMPGV) aims to foster a love of chamber music within the community of young musicians. The three intense days will be filled with coachings, seminars, masterclasses, and performances that will invigorate string and piano students in their musical endeavors. The advanced groups will have an opportunity to perform at the West Michigan Symphony’s The Block for an audience in Muskegon on the fourth day. Please see below for the daily schedule as well as the faculty information.
Eligibility
- High School Students (including current 8th graders who will be in high school in 2025-2026 and graduating seniors who will be in college in 2025-2026)
- Violin, Viola, Cello, or Piano Students with preferably 5+ years of playing
- Pre-formed groups (piano trio, piano quartet, piano quintet, string trio, or string quartet only) are welcome to apply.
Important Dates
May 15
Deadline to Apply
June 1
Decision Notification
June 15
Registration Deadline
Application and Fee
Deadline to Apply is May 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Application Fee:
- $20 (non-refundable); if you are accepted to the program, $20 will be applied towards the registration fee.
- You may pay using your credit card online or send us a check. Please make it payable to Grand Valley State University (Attn: Dr. Sookkyung Cho, Grand Valley State University, 1 Campus Drive, 1225 PAC, Allendale, MI 49401)
Click Here for Application Form
Deadline to Apply: May 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Audition Video Requirements
- Piano: Two contrasting solo pieces, memorized (For example, a first movement of Mozart sonata and a Chopin Nocturne)
- Violin: Two contrasting solo pieces, one by Bach
- Viola: Two contrasting solo pieces, one by Bach
- Cello: Two contrasting solo pieces, one by Bach, total no longer than 10 minutes
- Pre-formed ensemble: At least one movement from a standard chamber music repertoire.
- If you have any questions, please email us!
Program Fee
- Students selected will be notified by June 1, 2025. Those selected will be sent information regarding registration.
- $200 per student (if you’re applying as a pre-formed group, your fee will still be $200 per person)
- A significant number of merit-based scholarships are available. The scholarship amount will be determined based on your application recording.
Schedule (subject to change)
9-10am Full-Group Seminar
- Monday: Orientation and Faculty Concert
- Tuesday: Score Study
- Wednesday: Career in Chamber Music with David Ying from Ying Quartet (virtual meeting)
10am-12pm Rehearsals/coachings
12-1pm Lunch (provided)
1-3pm Rehearsals/coachings
3:00-3:30 Snacks (provided)
3:30-4:30pm Full Group
- Monday: Seminar on Rehearsal Technique
- Tuesday: Masterclass
- Wednesday: 4pm-5:30pm FINAL CONCERT in SVS Recital Hall with post-concert reception
Thursday, August 14th
7:00 p.m. concert at The Block: Muskegon for selected groups
Program Faculty
Dr. Letitia Jap, Violin
Dr. Letitia Jap is the Affiliate Faculty of Violin at Grand Valley State University. Letitia enjoys a career as a performer and teacher and finds most joy using music to connect with people. She has been a featured soloist with orchestras like the Seattle Symphony, Austin Civic Orchestra, and Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, Letitia has served as concertmaster with orchestras such as the Seoul International Community Orchestra and the Boston Chamber Orchestra. She also maintains an active schedule as a teacher, hoping to inspire the next generation of musicians. She was Head Chamber Ensemble Coach at the University of Rochester, held teaching assistant positions at the Eastman School of Music, was faculty at the Eastman Community School of Music, and World Music lecturer at Nazareth College. www.letitiajap.com
Dr. Pablo Mahave-Veglia, Cello
Dr. Pablo Mahave-Veglia has been a Professor at Grand Valley State University since 2003. In demand, just over the last couple of seasons he has appeared as soloist with concerti by Tchaikovsky, Boccherini, Haydn, and Saint-Saëns, as well as guest chamber musician with the Tesla Quartet, Magisterra Soloists, and the Harlen Chamber Players. He holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Indiana University, the Eastman School of Music, and the Interlochen Arts Academy, and performs on a 1790 William Forster cello on loan by an anonymous private collector. www.pmvcello.com
Dr. Sookkyung Cho, Piano
Dr. Sookkyung Cho is Associate Professor of Piano at GVSU. As a soloist and chamber musician, she has appeared in venues such as Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, Sarasota Opera House, Conservatoire d'art dramatique de Montréal in Canada, Château de Fontainebleau in France, Bilkent Piano Festival in Turkey, and Xi’an Conservatory in China. Dr. Cho received a bachelor’s degree from Juilliard, where she was honored
with the John Erskine Graduation Prize, and earned a master’s degree at Peabody and a doctorate at Juilliard as a C.V. Starr fellow. Her debut CD, Schubert’s 1817 Sonatas, was released on Centaur to critical acclaim in April 2021. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Grand Valley Piano Chamber Series. www.sookkyungcho.com
Apply for the Chamber Music Project at GVSU
Deadline to Apply: May 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
We are grateful for the partnership of The Block of the West Michigan Symphony.
