
News

CANCELLED – Dunamis Quartet Members Join South Bend Symphony
Due to Coronavirus safety concerns, this event has been cancelled
Fischoff 2020 Geoffroy Prize winners, Dunamis Quartet, will appear with the South Bend Symphony as part of the award-winning Community Foundation Performing Arts Series in the Chris Wilson Pavilion at South Bend’s Potowatomi Park (CDC recommended social distancing protocols will be in effect).
Saturday, August 29 at 7:00 pm
No tickets needed – FREE and open to the public
Fischoff Moves To Virtual Competition for 2020
Competition to be held in a new format
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.

Official Fischoff Video Prize Release
Tune into the new release by 2019 Fischoff Gold Medal String Winner, Merz Trio. (Sponsored by Darnton & Hersch Fine Violins)
Merz Trio returns for the Double Gold Tour
Don’t miss your chance to hear Gold Medal Winner, Merz Trio, October 10-16! They’ll be performing in Culver, Valparaiso, Notre Dame, and Chicago! Full details on their tour can be found on our website.
Aruna Quartet kicks off the 2019 Double Gold Tour
Fischoff is pleased to announce the commencement of its annual Gold Medal Tour, featuring the Aruna Quartet, winners of the 2019 Fischoff Competition Grand Prize and the Senior Wind Division Gold Medal.
Don’t miss their performances! Tour info is available on our website here.
Apply Now for the Mentoring Project!
Guidelines & Application are available at https://www.fischoff.org/education/chamber-music-academy/

Winner’s Tour Schedule Announced for the Callisto Quartet
Callisto Quartet, Grand Prize Winner & Gold Medal Winner, Senior String Division
Paul Aguilar, violin; Rachel Stenzel, violin; Eva Kennedy, viola; Hannah Moses, cello
Public Performances
Sunday, October 21 | Howard Center Presents, Howard Performing Arts Center, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI | Concert 7:00 pm (Eastern) |
Wednesday, October 24 | The Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts, Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL. Broadcast live on WFMT 98.7FM and streamed live at www.facebook.com/WFMTClassical | Concert 12:15 pm (Central) |
Thursday, October 25 | Culver Academies, Heritage Room of Legion Memorial Building (1300 Academy Road, Culver, IN). For info, contact Cathy Duke 574.842.8254 | Concert 7:30 pm (Eastern) |
Saturday, October 27 | Music at the Fort Concert Series, Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, MYAC Center, Highwood, IL | Concert 7:00 pm (Central) |
Sunday, October 28 | DeBartolo Performing Arts Center Presenting Series, Leighton Concert Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN | Concert 2:00 pm (Eastern) |
Masterclasses & Workshops
Culver Acadmies, Culver, IN |
LaSalle Intermediate Academy, South Bend, IN |
Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, Highwood, IL |
Penn High School, Mishawaka, IN |
Upton Middle School, St. Joseph, MI |