Chamber Music

What Chamber Music Means to PACO

Chamber music is the cornerstone of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra's philosophy.  PACO uniquely integrates chamber music into its core curriculum, ensuring every member gets the invaluable experience of rehearsing and performing in a string quartet for the duration of a concert set. 

We emphasize that listening comes first, and communication between players is built on mutual respect, a value we deeply stress within each student group.

We believe that PACO sets itself apart with a program that supports every student through this chamber music journey while always framing our success as continual, our impact as powerful and our care for each other of utmost importance. 

Thank you for playing well with others!

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Program Information

The PACO Academy, a yearlong intensive chamber program: 

PACO students from Superstrings to Senior who desire a more intensive chamber music experience can make a yearlong commitment to chamber music. This program is led by our PACO Chamber Music Director, Eugene Sor,  who sets the chamber groups and their repertoire. Student groups stay together through the whole season, and will receive at least 20 professional coachings throughout the year. They will play in masterclasses, competitions, concerts and festivals.  This program is priced competitively compared to many similar yearlong chamber programs and celebrates PACO’s commitment to chamber music while maintaining our supportive environment.

The standard chamber program: 

Students will be placed in musical quartets or trios with other students within their orchestra and will be given chamber music to be played at one of the concerts for their orchestra. Our chamber program is bolstered by 6 professional coaching sessions with our esteemed faculty during each set, complemented by peer support from our one of a kind, pedagogical ambassador program. Our "PA's" are motivated older PACO students who give additional coaching to our youngest members as they learn to rehearse and grow as chamber musicians.