A wide variety of performance opportunities await our students each year, with orchestras, bands, choirs and opera, jazz nonets and combos, small ensembles, and more.
A variety of programs and initiatives operate continuously or annually to enhance learning experiences and help students prepare for their future in music.
The MSU College of Music supports and challenges students, values innovation and creativity, and helps every community member achieve professional excellence.
Immerse yourself in the dynamic world of chamber music at Michigan State University. While not a standalone degree, our chamber music experiences are integrated across the college, enriching the educational journey for students pursuing performance diplomas and degrees.
At MSU, you will have the opportunity to engage with world-renowned artists through professional residencies, participate in prize-winning groups, and be involved in innovative educational initiatives. In addition to rehearsing and receiving regular coaching from faculty, students enrolled in chamber music perform for their peers and for guest artists in a weekly performance class. Past guests include members of Imani Winds, American Brass Quintet, Pacifica Quartet, Eighth Blackbird, So Percussion, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and principal chairs of New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra, to name a few.
Student groups can design their own performance opportunities on- and off-campus or take advantage of our existing community partner events. MSU’s Barbara Wagner Competition also offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate excellence in chamber music.
Our distinguished MSU Music faculty coach and mentor student groups, who have gone on to win top prizes at chamber competitions such as Coleman, Fischoff, and MTNA. Explore the Strings, Woodwinds, Keyboard, Percussion, and Jazz sections of the College of Music to learn more about the faculty’s extensive experience and activities.
Nearly all faculty in the College of Music perform and teach in chamber music settings. For more information about the programs and opportunities available, connect with our Chamber Music Program coordinators, Yvonne Lam and Tasha Warren.
Known for their bold artistry and global presence, the Erinys Quartet makes their MSU debut with a dynamic program of Bartók, Smith, and Beethoven, showcasing the ensemble’s expressive range and deep musical connection.
Now in its sixth year, the Barbara Wagner Chamber Music Competition showcases top student ensembles competing for cash prizes and professional development opportunities, with winners selected by external jurors and announced at the event’s conclusion.
Celebrate 250 years of American independence with a concert featuring U.S. composers who helped shape the country’s cultural identity through creativity, innovation and a bold spirit of expression.
All are welcome to this inclusive chamber concert tailored for individuals on the autism spectrum or with sensory sensitivities, featuring interactive music activities, audience mobility, noise-making, and a quiet room for comfort.
Conducted by Katherine Kilburn with conductors Zongheng Zhang and Dan Jaggars, this powerful program features six contemporary works exploring transformation and tension, anchored by a poetic new song cycle by MSU’s David Biedenbender.
Annual showcase concert features six student groups competing for top prizes.
Guest artist Haiqiong Deng joins MSU musicians for fifth annual celebration.
Guest ensemble appears in two concerts and a weeklong residency
West Circle Series’ Happy Birthday, Mozart! marks 270 years of beloved works
Two movements from The Nutcracker, reimagined by MSU faculty and performed by MSU students.