Meaning & use
chamber ensemble
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A small group of musicians who play classical music together, with one player for each part.
Grammar: Countable: a chamber ensemble, several chamber ensembles; it can take a singular or plural verb when referring to the group.
Patterns
- play in a chamber ensemble
- form a chamber ensemble
- a chamber ensemble performs something
She plays cello in a chamber ensemble that specializes in Brahms.
The chamber ensemble performed in a small hall with excellent acoustics.
He formed a chamber ensemble with three classmates.
nouncountable
The group considered as an organization that gives concerts or makes recordings.
Grammar: Use the with a singular verb for the organization: The chamber ensemble is recording a new album.
Patterns
- the chamber ensemble is recording
- the chamber ensemble tours
The chamber ensemble is recording a new album this fall.
The chamber ensemble tours Europe every other year.
Word forms
| plural | chamber ensembles |
|---|
Common combinations
- play in a chamber ensemble
- She has played in a chamber ensemble since college.
- a chamber ensemble concert
- Tickets for the chamber ensemble concert sold out quickly.
- form a chamber ensemble
- The four friends formed a chamber ensemble after graduation.
- a professional chamber ensemble
- The venue regularly hosts a professional chamber ensemble.
Synonyms and how they differ
- chamber group
- Chamber group is a looser everyday term for the same idea and is common in concert listings.
- chamber orchestra
- A chamber orchestra is usually larger and may have several players on a part, whereas a chamber ensemble has one player per part.
Word family
- ensemble noun
- Any group of performers who work together, not necessarily classical.
- chamber music noun
- Classical music written for a small group, one player per part.
Commonly confused: chamber ensemble or chamber choir?
chamber ensemble vs chamber choir
A chamber choir is a small group of singers; a chamber ensemble is a small group of instrumentalists.
Practice
Which sentence uses "chamber ensemble" correctly?
Choose one answer.
A chamber ensemble is a small instrumental group, so tuning instruments fits; singing in parts describes a choir, and conducting a full orchestra is not what a small ensemble trains you for.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “chamber ensemble”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.