CHAMPS Education Program

For 30 years, Chamber Music in the Public Schools brought the joys of ensemble playing to the public school setting.  CHAMPS partnered with school orchestra programs to provide chamber music coaching on a weekly basis. Dedicated professional musicians were brought in to coach trios, quartets and quintets made up of members of the middle and high school orchestras. Coaches shared their love of chamber music and the musical knowledge needed for performance and enjoyment. Participants were chosen through an interview/audition process, and coaching sessions that took place during orchestra class time.

In it’s prime, the CHAMPS program grew to serve 16 schools in Austin, Round Rock, Westlake, Lake Travis and Georgetown with around 100 students enrolled in the program to receive weekly chamber music instruction.

CHAMPS students received many performance opportunities throughout the year. They were entered into city-wide contests, performed in two recitals a year as well as masterclasses, outreach concerts at nursing homes, churches, elementary schools and special award ceremonies and were invited to participate in other special opportunities. CHAMPS students received the unique chance to be selected to participate in Master Classes with outstanding professional musicians, including Peter Bay, the Cordova Quartet, Elizabeth Pitcarin, the Skyros Quartet, among others. The program provided students with the opportunity to develop their instrumental skills as well as social and interpersonal skills including cultivating leadership qualities and lasting friendships.

While the CHAMPS program is not currently active, Salon Concerts remains dedicated to finding ways to bring the love of chamber music to young generations, and to pass down the love and art of performing and collaborating to students.

Past participating Schools

Akins High School

Anderson High School

Austin High School

Bowie High School

Cedar Ridge High School

Lake Travis High School

Westlake High School

Westwood High School

Bee Cave Middle School

Canyon Vista Middle School

Chisholm Trail Middle School 

Hudson Bend Middle School

Gorzycki Middle School

Murchison Middle School

Pearson Ranch Middle School

Ridgeview Middle School

Small Middle School

Westridge Middle School