UC Davis Department of Music undergraduate student Zoe Plateau and music alumni Annamarie Bosco, Andrew Hudson, Larry Lozares, Avery Snyder, Ben Saetern, Natalie Laurie, Katie Gorden, Asa Stern, Laura Zhang and Oscar Santamaria were participants in this year’s CALCAP Chamber Music Workshop held at California State University, Sacramento. 

The goal of the two-week event is to provide each musician with a diverse and enjoyable chamber music experience. Each day, participants are assigned to a new group and piece. Following intensive rehearsal and coaching, the group performs a portion of the work at an afternoon or evening concert.

Gorden, Saetern, Laurie and Zhang were interns and Bosco and Plateau were scholars who received full fees scholarships. The interns participated as regular musicians  preparing and giving five performances during the week in addition to performing other administrative duties. In addition, Gorden, Saetern and Zhang gave presentations on topics related to their studies at UC Davis. 

“As a CalCap intern, I gained experience in networking, sight-reading, performing, stage management, music administration, and library maintenance,” said Gorden. “In addition to improving my professional skills, CalCap provided me with a fun opportunity to play with different musicians of all ages.”

“My first year with CALCAP was a very special experience, it was so nice to meet so many passionate and supportive musicians,” said Zhang. “I hope I can come back next year to continue to learn new music and make connections!”

Additional UC Davis alumni participants included Chris Allen, Elaine Hallett, Robin Houston, Tara Ursell, Robin Houston, and Carol Yarbrough.

Under the direction of Pete Nowlen, UC Davis Director of the Concert Band, the workshop is open to intermediate and advance performers on violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn. Workshop participants include adults and college students 18 and over.

UC Davis music instructors Cindy Behmer and Portia Njoku also participated in CALCAP. Behmer was Internship Coordinator and a coach while Njoku is the Program Coordinator (running the library and program logistics).