staging.atfirstsight.org

teacher and students string quartet

Musicianship

At First Sight provides training in both ensemble and personal technique. Chamber music coaches guide students through the intricacies of multi-player repertoire, focusing on ensemble skills such as listening, interpreting musical gestures, passing musical ideas to other players, group intonation, and leading the ensemble.

In seminars and master classes, personal technical issues are addressed, bringing to light new ways to solve musical problems, to create beautiful tone, and to improve personal performance. Faculty performances give students the ability to witness first-hand the application of those techniques.

musicians playing clarinet quartet

At the Faculty Concert, AFS staff members perform “Forlana” by Gerald Finzi , June 24, 2025

teacher and student

Michael Tompkins, teacher and conductor, helps a student with a violin part

cello teacher and student

Suzanne Sims, cello teacher, helping a student cellist.