the POWERFUL

CONNECTION of

musical ensembles

musical ensembles

ft. Northview Chamber Music Society

“Although I've played piano for 12 years, I find that playing in ensembles establishes a sense of community and allows me to share the joy of playing music with others— something that isn't possible when practicing by myself.”

Jensi Perng, viola & piano

what powerful connection exactly?

  • Unlike playing a solo, listening to others play is crucial since it is important to be playing together. Counting and following the leader (conductor, soloist, concertmaster) will improve technically when we follow a steady and precise beat, and musically when we flow and slow/speed up the music piece together.

  • Everything revolves around teamwork. If someone plays/sings the wrong note or plays/sings during a rest, it’ll affect the overall performance ensemble. Playing/singing in tune is something musicians need to practice during their own time, so therefore, this requires trust that they’re willing to put in that extra effort to ensure the quality of the ensemble will be better.

  • It brings out so much light and acknowledging that musicians get to share their talents and hear other people play makes it so humanizing. The power of different musical instruments or voice together demonstrates how their individual success can contribute to a much greater success as a group. This progress promotes joy in sharing music together.

ncms

♫

ncms ♫

The Northview Chamber Music Society is an established student-led club that was founded in 2011. NCMS gives back to the community through musical means and unites the musicians of Northview High School by providing opportunities to form musical ensembles and to perform in senior-living centers.

Joline Tran | logo design

“I’ve been a part of NCMS since my freshman year, and I take a lot of pride in its mission and how it impacts my community. NCMS consists of many talented Northview musicians from different skill levels, and because of this, NCMS is inclusive of its music selection, as they strive to help each other grow as a better musician and leader."

Joline Tran, piano & violin

Photo Courtesy by Joline Tran

Joline Tran | photography

NCMS members take on:

How would you compare your experiences playing solo versus playing in a musical ensemble?

  • "Playing violin as a soloist as well as in ensembles has provided valuable experiences to me—both unique to one another. When preparing for my solo competitions, I am able to hone my technical skills and perform riveting pieces that allow me to stand out as an individual. Aside from challenging myself as a soloist, participating in musical ensembles teaches me to collaborate with like-minded musicians driven by the same passion for music as I have. This past summer, I was honored to be a part of the GHP String Majors, where I played in a small orchestra and chamber groups, composed of many talented musicians. It was here where I found a strong community of friends and learned how to communicate with others to stay together during performances. By playing alongside musicians that have similar interests, I am able to further learn how to collaborate with others and share what connects us all: music."

    Roy Lee, violin

  • “Singing as a soloist puts a lot more emphasis on power and personal interpretation of how to perform, but in an ensemble, [I believe] there’s a lot more to consider. Personally, I find choir singing to be more difficult, as it requires listening to those around you and matching diction or volume, for example. [By having these] group performances, [they] remind how you can bring your own vocal color in a teamwork based-environment, pushing you to think about all parts of the piece and how they move together– which isn’t something I [typically] think as much when singing solo. However, solo performances are still difficult [to execute] as any mistakes are more noticeable and facial expressions are a bigger focus.”

    Lia Mathews, voice

  • “For solo, I need to strive for perfection because I’m the only one playing [while] for ensembles, since I know that my sound isn’t the only sound being produced, I know that there are others [that can] cover me. Ensembles also require more communication. For solo playing, I only need to focus on my own music; however, in ensembles I need to match the sound in order to communicate with others, both directly and indirectly. Additionally, through solo playing, only my sound makes up the melody, harmony, and other voices [in contrast to ensembles] when I play a part of the music and make my part fit in with theirs.”

    Emma Hu, piano & violin

Kevin Mo | photography

Joline Tran | photography

articulate on experience.

What made you decide to join NCMS and apply for a leadership position?

“I was drawn to NCMS because it complemented my desire to play group music with people, especially using various instruments. [I knew that] this was a wonderful chance to perform unique music and connect with other (musicians) whose experiences were different from mine. After applying for [the co-vice president] position, I understood that it would be a great opportunity to learn more.”

Kevin Mo, clarinet

What makes ensemble playing so much more impactful than solo playing?

“Ensemble playing can be so much more impactful than solo playing not only because it creates a beautiful and magical harmony as different instruments combine, but also because of its ability to connect people with each other, heart to heart.”

Jiayi Lu, cello

recapitulation.

All in all, being a part of a musical ensemble can help hone in on many skills— from precisely playing on beat, to communicating musically with the usage of shaping crescendos and diminuendos, and to creating lasting friendships. You may even be surprise by how fun selecting and tackling music is!

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