Published September 30, 2025
BY SOPHIE CANAN
Chamber Music Club, a smaller instrumental ensemble like a string quartet, will be welcoming in the audience at the CHS performing arts lobby with a 1960s-themed set, including songs like “Hey Jude” “Eleanor Rigby” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” at the fall concert on Oct. 23.
“It’s nice for a gathering place,” explains CHS music teacher and club adviser Sarah Wadsworth, emphasizing that chamber music was traditionally performed in small rooms. “As you come into the lobby and theater, it puts people into the right artistic mindset.”
Chamber Music Club members Grace Xu, Eric Zhang, Choice Muivah and Imogen Cook (from left) rehearsing Eleanor Rigby for the Fall Concert. Photo by SOPHIE CANAN
Chamber music features classical pieces, however club president Emily Kim has decided to take a different approach with this club. The club is performing covers of songs from the ‘60s instead, songs the audience might be more familiar with, including bands like the Beach Boys and the Beatles.
“It’s better because people know those songs,” Kim explains.
Chamber music doesn’t have a conductor, which allows musicians to improve their musical skills like intonation, independence and communication. It also means trusting and communicating with the other musicians in the group.
Despite CHS’ large music program, there was no chamber music club until last year, when Kim decided to create the club. It allows for students to have another way to express themselves musically.
“I really enjoy playing chamber music, and I didn’t have many opportunities before,” sophomore co-founder Elise Yi says. “Being in this club, I can be a part of one every single week.”
The fall concert will also feature other performing arts groups such as the concert choir and orchestra. Although the Chamber Music Club won’t actually be performing onstage, Kim hopes that in the future they will also be able to perform during transitions between performances.
“While they’re setting up, we could play, so it’s not like you’re just waiting in silence,” the junior says.
Although Chamber Music Club is a newer addition to the music program, it allows students of all levels of experience to express themselves and improve musically while performing for a large audience.
