Many say that interest in classical music is fading, especially among the younger generations. But wander through University City in Philadelphia, and you’ll hear a different tune. From the rehearsal rooms of Penn’s Fisher–Bennett Hall to the halls of local churches, a new wave of musicians is keeping classical music alive, prioritizing passion, accessibly, and collaborative creation.
One of the brightest spots in this rich classical landscape is the University City Chamber Collective (UCCC), a summer chamber music initiative now in its second year. Founded by students and young professionals from Penn and the wider community, UCCC stands out not for its exclusivity, but for its openness. There are no auditions, no performance degrees required, and no fees. Every rehearsal, masterclass, and concert is free and open to the public. In a city rich with a history of professional music ensembles, UCCC brings something new to the scene as a collective powered by enthusiasm and a shared love for music.
"After I graduate[d] I thought there would be significantly less opportunities to play classical music,” says Edy Huang, a cellist in the collective, “but UCCC feels like a home for anyone who simply loves music. Playing and building this music collective together with friends has been the highlight of my summer."
Despite its low barrier to entry, UCCC produces impressive performances. The group’s inaugural concert, held at the Church of the Holy Trinity at Rittenhouse Square, drew a live audience of about 100, with another 150 tuning in via livestream. This past September, the collective presented two concerts featuring ten chamber groups performing works from across centuries and styles, with ensembles ranging from string quartets and piano duets to flute trios and clarinet quintets. “It was a wonderful experience,” recalls Eric Tao (C ’25), who attended one of the concerts. “I was so glad and impressed to see so many busy UPenn students make time in their schedule to share in their love for music.”
UCCC’s programs feature the traditional pillars of the classical genre—Bach, Brahms, Beethoven, Dvořák, Ravel, etc.—but they don’t stop there. The collective places strong emphasis on pieces by contemporary and underrepresented composers, performing works by Caroline Shaw, Florence Price, Amy Beach, and Arnold Schoenberg, among others. Their repertoire also embraces the overlooked romantics—Ralph Vaughan Williams, Erich Korngold, Bohuslav Martinů, Ernest Chausson—composers whose music sits beautifully between the familiar and the fresh.
The group also prides itself on playing original works by its own members. Last summer, violinist and composer Justin Duong (C ’27) premiered “doomscrolling”, a string quartet piece that recalls the all–too–familiar experience of swiping through reels endlessly on social media. “As a composer, one of the best feelings is having a piece get played by actual musicians,” Duong says. “UCCC not only is an amazing opportunity to hear my music, but to also have been a part of that process and play with friends was super rewarding.”
The idea for UCCC began organically. “We started in 2023 as a group of friends sightreading in the summer to keep up with our instruments,” says Hannah Lee (C ’24, GSE ’25), founder of the collective. “Our inaugural concert last year was an experience that felt like high risk and high reward. This year was a great year of growth and learning for us, with a number of returning members and organizers and many new members from Penn and in the greater Philly community.”
Lee emphasizes that UCCC fills a unique void in providing a musical home for students and young professionals during the four–month–long summer break. “It’s incredible to see what music lovers will do to keep playing,” she says. “As a classical musician, there is often overemphasis on formal training and degrees, but groups like UCCC show me that so much of it truly depends on how much someone loves music and is willing to dedicate time and energy towards it. I think it is great that formalized spaces for ‘non–professional’ musicians exist and are growing through groups like UCCC.”
With more and more opportunities like UCCC encouraging students and young professionals to continue their engagement with music well beyond high school and college, classical music is not just "here to stay" among the young generations. Rather, it's actively expanding its reach, crossing over with new genres and reaching new audiences through community–based projects that center an ethos of accessibility and openness.
For those looking to explore the world of classical music beyond the UCCC, check out the Student Circle program with the Philadelphia Orchestra, a student pass with the Young Friends Program of the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Opera Philadelphia, student rush with the Philadelphia Ballet, student performances at the Curtis Institute of Music, Penn Chamber Music, Penn Symphony Orchestra, and more Penn opportunities.
Editor's note: A previous version of this article misstated the educational backgrounds of UCCC's founding members. Street regrets these errors.
