Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition

The Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition is a competition for young professional chamber music ensembles. Begun in 2004, it has rapidly grown to become a notable international event. Recent Competitions have drawn applicants from the United States, Canada, Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. The Competition is sponsored by Chesapeake Music Inc., a non-profit organization that, for thirty years, has brought outstanding music to the Delmarva Peninsula.

From its inception, the Competition has benefited from the assistance of an Advisory Panel of outstanding musicians and educators. The jurors have included luminaries such as Ida Kavafian, David Krakauer, Marcy Rosen, Diane Walsh, Tara Helen O’Connor, Christopher Millard, Pamela Frank and others drawn from leading conservatories and orchestras, as well as from ensembles such as the Orion, Mendelssohn and Los Angeles Quartets and performance venues such as Marlboro and Lincoln Center.

Based on audition materials, the jurors will select a maximum of five Finalists to compete in concert performances on April 13, 2024 at the historic Ebenezer Theater in Easton, Maryland. Two alternative ensembles will also be selected. We celebrate each Finalist the following day in individual concerts at other local venues. The Gold Prize Winner will be further honored with additional concerts including an appearance at the Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival in June 2024. Presenting organizations will attend the Competition to consider all Finalists for other future engagements, and our past experience indicates that new concerts will follow.

Prizes
Prizes will be announced at the conclusion of the performances.
The Lerman Gold Prize winner will be awarded the sum of $10,000 and the Silver Prize winner the sum of $5,000. An honorarium of $1,000 will be awarded to each of the remaining finalist ensembles. The very popular Audience Choice Award of $1,000 will be announced as well.

Prizes may be distributed, divided, or withheld at the discretion of Chesapeake Music. All prizes are conditioned upon full compliance by the ensemble and each of its members with the rules and requirements of the Competition.

Cash awards will be distributed no later than April 14, 2024.

Schedule of Competition Events

Preliminary Rounds
Application Open - September 1, 2023
Application Deadline - November 30, 2023

Saturday, April 13, 2024 | Competition 

1:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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