Collective virtuosity: Lessons in personal and small group transformation from classical chamber musicians

Abstract

What influences personal and small group transformation for classical chamber musicians? In this chapter, I explore the context of classical chamber music ensembles and how embodied awareness and reflexivity contribute to personal and small group transformation, or collective virtuosity. According to Marotto et al. (J Manag Stud 44(3):388-413, 2007), collective virtuosity occurs when "individual virtuosity becomes collective in groups through a reflexive process in which group members are transformed by their own peak performance" (p. 395). During my research with classical chamber musicians, I observed personal transformation take place as individuals broadened and deepened their awareness by practicing a set of rehearsal techniques. Each technique helped musicians to expand and embody awareness, mirror gestures and entrain energies, to enter into a mutual tuning-in process, and to ultimately form a We Presence in which musicians experienced collective virtuosity. This chapter contains examples of several chamber music rehearsal techniques with explanations of how they contribute to personal and small group transformation. I provide a model that illustrates a transformation process which results in collective virtuosity.