Living Room Program
The Hausmann Quartet’s “Living Room Program” is a yearly, two semester program of community chamber music based in private residences, with sessions from September through December and January through May. The goal of the Living Room Program is to encourage active music making in the greater San Diego area by mixing amateur and professional musicians and facilitating the introduction of like-minded chamber musicians who meet, play and receive professional coaching in their own living rooms.
The program was paused last year due to the pandemic, but the previous season included over thirty amateur musicians who enjoyed the opportunity to expand the scope of their musical experience and benefit from exceptional coaching. Groups will be formed to meet, practice and learn through insightful instruction from the members of the Hausmann Quartet.
Please see How The Program Works for details on the Living Room Program, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information, or click here to register.
How The Program Works
The first step for musicians interested in the Living Room Program is to complete the registration form on this web site. Registration deadline is October 15. Over the following few weeks members of the Hausmann Quartet will review the registrations and form chamber music groups according to instrumentation, skill level and geographic location, with every effort to accommodate specific requests.
After participants have been notified of group placement and hosting responsibilities each group will collectively select repertoire, meeting times and the other details of each gathering. Three times in the Fall and four times during the program’s Spring semester members of the Hausmann Quartet will visit each Living Room group to coach and provide insight on aspects of chamber music playing. Participants are invited to share their work together in public performance, (previous concerts have been held at the San Diego Central Library’s Neil Morgan Auditorium).
All coaching must be scheduled at least THREE WEEKS in advance of requested coaching date.
Fall 2021 Participants receive:
- 3 coaching sessions of 1.5 hours each from September to January
- Group performance – details TBC (previous seasons included concerts at the San Diego Central Library plus additional performances at Villa Musica’s Chamber Music Club)
- Group matching or introduction if needed
- Host matching
Spring 2022 Participants receive:
- 4 coaching sessions of 1.5 hours each from January/February to June
- Group performance – details TBC (previous seasons included concerts at the San Diego Central Library plus additional performances at Villa Musica’s Chamber Music Club)
- Group matching or introduction if needed
- Host matching
Cost to participant: $150 for Fall semester, $200 for Spring semester
“A la carte” option of fewer coaching sessions is also available for pre-formed groups.
Click here to register
This program has been made possible, in part, with past support from ACMP (Associated Chamber Music Players).
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some general questions to help you understand how to get your Living Room experience underway so everyone can start making music together.
What’s the first step?
Fill out a registration form online or contact Hausmann Quartet violinist Isaac Allen by email or at (415) 734-1288.
I was registered last year. Do I need to fill out a new form?
Yes, there are a few changes to the form as well as a slightly different structure to the program. Mainly Mozart is also no longer running administration for this program and it will be coordinated directly by the Hausmann Quartet.
How are the groups formed?
Members of the Hausmann Quartet review the registration forms and group people according to instrumentation needs, skill level and geographic location. If you have a recording of your playing, please provide it to help in the group formation process. Also, feel free to make notes you think will help in providing you with a compatible group. We encourage participants who are already in groups that work well to stay in their current configuration. It is important to remember that no match is perfect, and we are happy to work with you as the program begins to find a more appropriate ensemble for you to play with if possible.
How often should groups meet to practice?
You are free to meet as often as you wish to practice. Groups are encouraged to take full advantage of the number of coachings offered per semester.
I am already in a group. May we join together?
Yes, pre-formed groups are welcome, although each participant needs to register separately. There is space on the form for the names of your fellow group members. You may also join as a pre-formed group and/or request additional players be added to your group.
Do I have to stay in the group I joined last year?
No, just make sure to indicate that you are joining individually on your registration form. Any written comments you make are confidential.
What if I don’t like the group into which I’ve been placed?
You have been placed into a group based on the levels you provided, your instrument and where you live. If it is not working out, we ask that you first give it a little time to see if you can become comfortable as a stronger or weaker member of a group. If compatibility still proves elusive after multiple meetings please contact Hausmann Quartet cellist Alex Greenbaum and we will attempt to find you a better fit.
Who is the host in my group? How is that decided?
The host is the member of your group who’s volunteered their home (their living room!) for your meetings. Hosts will be determined upon completion of registration forms and group placement. A list will be sent out to each group with this information.
How will the group operate?
Groups will be sent each member’s contact information (almost all contact is through email, although phone is possible). Group members decide together when they are available for coaching sessions based on a list of available dates and times on the website, and submit them as far in advance as possible. Groups will then determine what repertoire they will play. Members of the Hausmann Quartet can provide suggestions on repertoire if requested.
How long is each gathering?
Coaching sessions will last 1 ½ hours. Meeting times outside of coachings can last as long as you and the host like, but please be respectful of the host’s space and time.
Will there be food?
We hope so! There is nothing that goes better with great music than a little food and drink, and we encourage you to bring both, potluck style. Please check with your host to see how you might contribute to the festivities in this way.
Can I bring my kids/spouse/friends?
Yes, but this is a decision for your group and, especially your host.
What if I can only make some sessions?
We hope you will be able to make all the sessions, however, if you can’t, please let Alex Greenbaum know so we can make best use of that living room session.
What if I change my mind and don’t want to host anymore?
That shouldn’t be a problem. Last year, many people offered to be hosts. It could be a topic you discuss at your first meeting with a plan to share host duties.
Can I request a particular coach?
Of course, and we will do our best to accommodate requests. However, sometimes it will not be possible due to scheduling constraints.
When will we get to perform for the public?
Each semester one public performance at the downtown San Diego Central Library’s Neil Morgan Auditorium will be scheduled for living room groups. All groups are encouraged to perform at this event. Additional performance dates are offered in partnership with Villa Musica at their Chamber Music Club series, free to living room participants. These events include wine, snacks and are a great way to share what you have been working on with other members of the community in a supportive environment!
How can I keep track of what is going on in other living rooms?
Hausmann Quartet’s Living Room Program has a Facebook page! We hope that you will all take pictures and videos of the sessions and post them to Facebook. At least one person in each living room will be made an administrator and will be able to post on the Living Room Program page.
Why are you requesting tuition for the program? I thought the program was covered by a grant from the Irvine Foundation.
Mainly Mozart was able to start this program with us six years ago because of a generous grant from the Irvine Foundation, but that grant period is now over. However, the program was such a success that we decided it was important to keep this community of musicians alive in San Diego. In order to cover coaching, travel and administrative costs, we have come up with a pricing structure that we feel is extremely fair and affordable. We hope to increase our scholarship fund to offer financial aid for more of those in need, but in order to reach that point it is important that we continue to have strong enrollment in our programs, so please encourage your friends to join!
We hope that as we begin these sessions together, you will share in our excitement about the endless possibilities and know that you are part of something very special! Your feedback is invaluable to us as we grow these programs, and we welcome it wholeheartedly.
Many of you enjoy an active musical life already and some of you may be rekindling an old love. Either way, the goal of the Living Room Program is to encourage active music making in San Diego by mixing amateur and professional musicians in a way that will enliven the cultural landscape in our fair city and beyond.
Happy music making!