The Fischoff National Chamber Music Association is pleased to announce that its 47th Annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition will take place virtually utilizing its full panel of jurors for Junior and Senior Strings and Winds Divisions. The results will be announced online May 7-9, 2020, the original dates of the competition, which is typically held on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

This year there were entries from 130 ensembles representing 16 nationalities.  Under the leadership of Fischoff Artistic Director, Tom Rosenberg, Fischoff’s world-class jurors will follow competition guidelines remotely utilizing the performance videos of entrants to determine finalists. They will collaborate to ultimately award the competition’s prestigious Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in each division.

Rosenberg noted that Fischoff’s jurors are highly experienced at virtual judging through their work in selecting musicians to participate in competitions, festivals and music schools. Jurors will continue to provide their highly valued feedback and guidance to finalists to continue the educational component of the “Fischoff experience”.  Rosenberg gave several reasons for continuing the competition including that for Senior Division medalists, a Fischoff medal often launches careers and is life-changing because of the prestige of the competition.

The competition will culminate in the awarding of annual prizes totaling $39,000 along with future performance and educational outreach opportunities for winners in both the Junior and Senior Divisions.

The Fischoff is the largest and longest running chamber music competition in the nation and is typically livestreamed to 6,000 viewers in 50 countries.  This year the finalists’ performances will be posted online to continue to share the music of some of the most talented young musicians in the world.

Artistic Director Tom Rosenberg reflected on the importance of the Fischoff Competition as he celebrates his 40th anniversary in this role, “Creative people will not stop creating during this or any other emergency.  In times of distress or joy, the Arts are called upon to bring us together. In that spirit, the Fischoff will come together to celebrate the work of all the people involved – be they an ensemble member, juror, or staff member – and to continue our focus on education.”

Additionally, Fischoff is piloting an online music experience with a local South Bend elementary school utilizing Fischoff musicians that will feature a creative approach to bringing chamber music to that age group. Once piloted, the online program will be made widely available.

“At a time when young musicians can use our support more than ever, Fischoff is working to make sure our groups will be poised to inspire lives through breathtaking performances when it will be safe to do so,” commented their new Executive Director, Kara Kane.

More details and an updated schedule of events for the competition will be coming in the coming weeks.