Chamber Music is a Collaboration!

Contributed by: Dr. Blakeley Menghini, Education & Community Engagement Director at the Rockford Symphony Orchestra

This month I celebrated 9 months as the Education and Community Engagement Director for the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. My transition [back] into this community has been smooth – I grew up in Shannon, IL and studied viola at NIU as a child. Before my role with the RSO, I rekindled my connection in the area in 2022, when Laura Eakman joined the team at the Music Academy as Executive Director. Laura and I go way, way back. While earning our Masters degrees at NIU at the same time, we became fast friends. Not only did we share a philosophy about music and performance, but we both were believers in the Suzuki Method. We both went on to DMA programs, and after becoming the Doctors we are, we began our professional collaborations. In 2018, I cofounded the Griffon String Quartet in Northeast WI. We served as Artists in Residence for Laura’s Chamber Music Camp in Manhattan, KS which began our long-standing tradition of co-directing chamber music camps.

Chamber Music is one of my greatest joys and passions. Why do I love it so?

Let me count the ways!

It’s collaborative!

In a chamber ensemble, the magic happens when there is one person to a part. Sure, there are two violins in a string quartet, but they each move independently on their own line! That means you not only need to be prepared to play “alone” on your part (aka PRACTICE and COURAGE!), you also have to be mobile enough to adapt to the lines of your colleagues. An impactful mantra of the Ariana String Quartet is “practicing for possibility,” where you try to find tons of ways to play your particular part so you are ready for anything! Chamber music takes a high level of responsibility, awareness, and guts!

It’s a creative outlet!

Think of an actor. They must work to create a palette of style, color, accents, characters, emotions, and mannerisms. When telling a musical story, we also need that kind of varied palette. I think about not only my particular sound, but my sound within a larger whole – What is the purpose of this rhythm or this line? How can I shade my vibrato, tone, bow speed, etc. to serve that purpose?

It’s transformative!

Playing chamber music (for the many reasons listed above and more) has changed me. It has opened my ears and my heart to other people. I’m a better listener, in music and otherwise thanks to my years as a quartet violist. I’m more responsible when I know others are counting on me. I’m kinder when I try to make my colleagues look good. I understand music better when I’m playing something other than the melody. I develop flexibility and adaptability. I hold the philosophy of “continuous improvement,” because an ensemble’s blend can always be deeper.

It’s fun!

Need I say more?

Laura and I collaborate in new ways now, living in and serving our shared community in Rockford. For the Music Academy and the RSO to partner is like chamber music! It’s collaborative, it’s a creative outlet, it’s transformative, and it’s fun!