CHAMBER MUSIC PROGRAM

Con Brio Ensemble is excited to announce the launch of Con Brio Chamber Music, Denver’s first small-group chamber music program for young musicians under the leadership of one of the area’s most accomplished chamber musicians, Margaret Dyer Harris.

Designed for talented string musicians ages 11-18, the program will form thoughtfully balanced ensembles of 3-5 players based on musical ability, instrumentation, and educational fit. Our experienced Con Brio staff will carefully match individual applicants, while pre-formed and partially formed groups are also encouraged to apply.

Students are encouraged to participate in both the Con Brio Ensemble and Con Brio Chamber Music programs, but either program may also be pursued independently.

Select advanced wind players and pianists whose teachers highly recommend their placement in our program may also apply for mixed ensemble placement.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Launching in September 2026, the year-long chamber music program provides students with a structured and enriching chamber music experience, including:

*Flexible, facilitated coaching sessions with experienced, professional chamber musicians

*Master classes with some of Colorado's finest chamber musicians

*Opportunities for community performances

*Opportunities for recording sessions

Tuition: $500 for the 2026-2027 school year

Fall Semester (September - December):

*Three (3) one-hour coachings

*One (1) masterclass date

Spring Semester (January - April):

*Three (3) one-hour coachings

*One (1) masterclass date

Community performance opportunities may be offered throughout the year. Participation is optional, and opportunities cannot be guaranteed for every ensemble.

REHEARSALS & COACHING SCHEDULING
Each group will coordinate its own rehearsals and arrange rehearsal locations together. Because coordinating schedules among multiple families can be challenging, we encourage students and families to prioritize chamber music rehearsal time and offer flexibility whenever possible.

We will assign a parent/guardian from each group as its Communications & Scheduling Leader. This person will spearhead arranging the group's schedule and communicating with the ensemble's coach to schedule coaching sessions.

ENSEMBLE PLACEMENT
Con Brio carefully reviews every audition and forms ensembles based on musical ability, instrumentation, and educational fit. Our goal is to create meaningful and rewarding chamber music experiences for every group; therefore, placement cannot be guaranteed for all applicants.

AUDITION & APPLICATION
1) APPLY BY AUGUST 30, 2026

Complete the application form on our website.

2) PAY

Pay the $25 audition fee through the link provided on the audition page on our website.

The $25 application fee is waived for students who already auditioned for Con Brio this summer and/or are participating in Con Brio Ensemble for the 2026-2027 season.

3) SUBMIT

Upload your video to YouTube under the “unlisted” privacy settings. The video’s title should be in the following format: Con Brio_FirstName_LastName_PieceTitle. Copy your “share” link and paste the URL link into the form below. For pre-formed group video submissions, title your video: Con Brio_GroupName_PieceTitle.

IMPORTANT DATES
August 30, 2026: Application & Audition Deadline
September 12, 2026: Placement results & ensemble assignments released
September 26, 2026: Chamber Music Program begins

Email CONBRIOENSEMBLECOLORADO@GMAIL.COM with any questions.

Know a student who might enjoy chamber music? We would love for you to share this opportunity with them!

BUILDING COMMUNITY, ONE NOTE AT A TIME

Margaret Dyer Harris

Margaret has a strong passion for education and community outreach. She was the Director of Outreach for A Far Cry before beginning a post-grad fellowship program with Ensemble Connect: a program of Carnegie Hall, the Juilliard School, and the Weill Music Institute in partnership with the NYC Dept. of Education. As a member of this ensemble, Margaret wrote and produced interactive performances for audiences all around the boroughs of New York City: dozens of schools, eldercare facilities, and correctional facilities. Margaret was hired by the Weill Institute of Carnegie Hall to teach and perform with the men at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, culminating in a side-by-side performance of pieces written by the inmates, performed for residents and officers. In 2017, Margaret became the Education Coordinator for the Knights chamber orchestra. She directed concerts for families in Brooklyn and students of neighboring schools of the BRIC Arts and Media Center and, in 2020, Margaret wrote and produced an online series for the Knights called “Musical Chairs” which introduces the instruments and players of the orchestra to a young digital audience.

Margaret Dyer Harris has crafted an eclectic career as a recording artist, entrepreneur, chamber musician, arts advocate, and educator. She was the Assistant Principal Violist of the Santa Fe Opera from 2015-2025. An artist on multiple GRAMMY™ award winning records in multiple genres, Margaret was the solo violist in Wicked on Broadway and she was a member of the New York Pops Orchestra. She was a guest violist with the New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. An active and passionate chamber musician, Margaret has been featured at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Le Festival de Musique de Saint Barthélemy, the Denver Chamber Music Festival, and countless national and international festivals. She has taught masterclasses in Mexico, England, Peru, United Arab Emirates, Scotland, and all across the United States.