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SBSO and the Fischoff Announce New Partnership

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SOUTH BEND, IN (April 4, 2012) - This year, the new partnership between the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra will reach more talented area high school musicians, giving them an opportunity to be mentored and perform with professional musicians, including members of the South Bend Symphony.
SOUTH BEND, IN (April 4, 2012) – This year, the new partnership between the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra will reach more talented area high school musicians, giving them an opportunity to be mentored and perform with professional musicians, including members of the South Bend Symphony.

If you are a member of an ensemble that participated in the Fischoff’s Mentoring Project this year, your ensemble is eligible to participate at the Donald A. Dake Summer Music Academy, without submitting an audition CD or tape.


Fischoff’s Mentoring Project provides an opportunity for regional high school chamber ensembles to receive coaching by professional area musicians at no charge throughout the academic year. Each year, ensembles from Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan participate in coaching sessions and a public recital, as well as perform for service organizations and community events. To download an application and learn more, visit www.fischoff.org and click on the education link.

The Donald A. Dake Summer Chamber Music Academy is designed to challenge high school students (grades 9 thru 12) who are advanced musicians that play a wind, brass, or string instrument or piano. Students will be coached by musicians from the South Bend Symphony. The week-long academy, June 24 – 29th, 2012,  is held at Saint Mary’s College and includes individual and group instruction, participation in the Academy Orchestra, master classes, public performances, and a community outreach tour.   The tuition is $150.00 per student.

Additionally, a conducting seminar is offered to select students. This unique opportunity gives students a chance to learn how to conduct from the South Bend Symphony’s own Maestro Tsung Yeh. Students will put into practice what they learn by conducting a faculty ensemble. The deadline for applications is April 20, 2012 at 5pm to the South Bend Symphony office at 127 N. Michigan Street, South Bend, IN  46601.   An application can be found on the South Bend Symphony Orchestra web site.

The Donald A. Dake Summer Chamber Music Academy is sponsored by the Donald A. Dake Family and the Georgina Joshi Foundation, Inc.

Fischoff’s Mentoring Project is sponsored by The ArtsEverywhere Initiative of the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County and The Elnora Hartman Stickley Scholarship Fund.

ANNA THOMPSON JOINS FISCHOFF NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

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DeBartolo Performing Arts Center director joins Wu Han, Paul Katz, and others in group providing strategic counsel to the Fischoff

South Bend, IN - February 20, 2012 - Anna Thompson, executive director of the University of Notre Dame's DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, has joined the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association's National Advisory Council, a group of industry and business leaders who provide strategic counsel and assistance to the chamber music association.
South Bend, IN – February 20, 2012 – Anna Thompson, executive director of the University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, has joined the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association’s National Advisory Council, a group of industry and business leaders who provide strategic counsel and assistance to the chamber music association.

Ms. Thompson joins Fischoff National Advisory Council members Wu Han (concert pianist and Artistic Co-Director of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, New York), Paul Katz (noted Grammy-winning cellist and former member, Cleveland Quartet), and others.

Anna Thompson serves as the executive director of the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center and fills the endowed Judd & Mary Lou Leighton Director of the Performing Arts at the University of Notre Dame. Thompson came to the University of Notre Dame in July of 2007 after ten years at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (MN) where she unified the fine arts program for these separate Benedictine liberal arts institutions. Prior to holding the position in Minnesota, she served as an arts administrator in Indianapolis for 14 years (Butler University, the Indianapolis Museum of Art). In addition to current oversight of all administration and finances for the Marie P. DeBartolo Center for the Performing Arts, she specializes as a curator of performing arts programming and develops interdisciplinary visiting artist residency projects with the Academy. Thompson has commissioned the first new works in music, dance and theater for Notre Dame to tour nationally and internationally bearing the name of the university.

Thompson has commissioned orchestral and chamber works by David Ott; Bruce Adolphe, Eric Ewazen; Simone Shaheen, Wu Man; Terry Riley; Tarik O’Regan; Stephen Prutsman; Steven Mackey; and Augusta Reed Thomas.

Thompson is a frequent lecturer and presenter at regional, national and international performing arts conferences (University of Krakow-Bytom Poland; Silesian Dance Theater Festival (Bytom, Poland); Association of Performing Arts Presenters; Chamber Music America; Arts Midwest; and the Kennedy Center. Among her achievements is the NAPAMA Presenter of the Year Award (2004). She serves locally on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County.

Thompson received her bachelor’s degree from Albion College and her master’s from Western Michigan University with additional studies in educational leadership at Butler University and a certificate in executive leadership from the University of Notre Dame.  Thompson is a member of the International Society for the Performing Arts, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Chamber Music America, Dance/USA and the North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents.

About the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association
Founded in 1973 in South Bend, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition has grown to become the largest chamber music competition in the world, and one of the most prestigious classical music prizes attainable today. Since its founding, more than 5,000 musicians have participated, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education.  Committed to music education, the Fischoff also partners with competition alumni to bring free, innovative Arts-in-Education programs directly to children in their own schools and community centers throughout Michiana.

About the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
The DeBartolo Performing Arts Center facilitates learning reflective of the University of Notre Dame’s distinctive liberal arts tradition through the informed exploration of universal truths and beauty. The Center serves to encourage and celebrate the human spirit through the performing and cinematic arts, which connect, stimulate and enrich our communities.

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The Fischoff Announces Collaboration with Artist Heidi Clark

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The Fischoff will feature the image of one of Ms. Clark’s well-known sculptures on the 2013 Fischoff Competition poster and program book.

NOTRE DAME, IN - The Fischoff is pleased to announce a collaboration with artist Heidi Clark.  The Fischoff will feature the image of one of Ms. Clark’s well-known sculptures on the 2013 Fischoff Competition poster and program book.
NOTRE DAME, IN – The Fischoff is pleased to announce a collaboration with artist Heidi Clark.  The Fischoff will feature the image of one of Ms. Clark’s well-known sculptures on the 2013 Fischoff Competition poster and program book.

Born and raised in Germany, the visual artist strives to create three-dimensional, harmonious groupings of multiple, unrelated objects. Vintage pieces, including old doors, suitcases, umbrellas, and hats, become props in her designs. “These former objects of utility are freed from the constraints of their inception and, now being only ornamental, are garnering a renewed, albeit changed purpose,” says Clark.

She is particularly known for her use of antique and vintage dress forms, sensing their potential as sculptures and striving “to transform those old, hapless forms into textured, glistening, attention-seeking sculptures…integrated into a modern-day home setting—just as one would display a painting on a wall.”

Founded in 1973 in South Bend, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition has grown to become the largest chamber music competition in the world, and one of the most prestigious classical music prizes attainable today. Since its founding, more than 5,000 musicians have participated, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education.  Committed to music education, the Fischoff also partners with competition alumni to bring free, innovative Arts-in-Education programs directly to children in their own schools and community centers throughout Michiana.

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Announcing the 2011 Fischoff Competition Winners

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The Calidore String Quartet and The City of Tomorrow Capture Coveted Fischoff Gold Medals

NOTRE DAME, IN (May 16, 2011) – Out of 48 competing ensembles from across the nation and around the world, the Calidore String Quartet has won the coveted Grand Prize of the 2011 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition ($7,500.00) and the Gold Medal ($3,000.00) in the Senior String Division.  Woodwind quintet The City of Tomorrow captured the Gold Medal ($3,000.00) in the Senior Wind Division.  In addition to prize money, both ensembles will participate in a Winner’s Tour of the Midwestern United States in October, and the Calidore String Quartet will perform several concerts in the Emilia Romagna Festival in Italy in 2012.  Calidore members Jeffrey Myers and Pasha Tseitlin (violin), Jeremy Berry (viola) and Estelle Choi (cello) currently study at the Colburn School, Los Angeles, California.  The City of Tomorrow is based in Evanston, Illinois.  Members include Elise Blatchford (flute), Andrew Nogal (oboe), Lauren Cook (clarinet), Amanda Swain (bassoon) and Leander Star (horn).   

The Senior String Division Silver Medal ($2,000) went to the Aeolus Quartet, whose members Nicholas Tavani (violin), Rachel Shapiro (violin), Gregory Luce (viola) and Alan Richardson (cello) study at the Butler School of Music, University of Texas, Austin and the Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland, Ohio.  The Senior String Division Barbara Shields Byrum Bronze Medal ($1,000) went to the Persinger String Quartet, also of the Colburn School, Los Angeles, California.  Members include Stephen Tavani (violin), Ryan Meehan (violin), Arianna Smith (viola) and Allan Steele (cello).

In the Senior Wind Division, the Silver Medal ($2,000) was awarded to the Blue Static Saxophone Quartet of the University of Houston, Moores School of Music, Houston, Texas.  Members include Robert Eason (soprano saxophone), Lee Redfearn III (alto saxophone), Justin Neumann (tenor saxophone) and Elizabeth Ambs (baritone saxophone). The Senior Wind Division Bronze Medal ($1,000) was awarded to Arundo Donax of Bloomington, Indiana.  Ensemble members include Lindsay Flowers (oboe), J.J. Koh (clarinet), Zachary Shemon (saxophone), Ashley Booher (bass clarinet/basset horn), and Dewayne Jerome Pinkney (bassoon).

In the Junior Division (for musicians eighteen and under), the First Place Medal and Scholarship of $2,000 was won by the Polaris Quartet of the Starling Program at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.  Members include Jenny Lee (violin), Billy Fang (violin), Demi Fang (viola), and Josh Halpern (cello).  The Second Place Medal and Scholarship of $1,500 was won by the Milo Quartet of the Community Music School of Webster University, Saint Louis, Missouri.  Members include Jecoliah Wang (violin), Emily DeBold (violin), Charles  Longtime (viola), and Richard Mazuski (cello).  The Third Place Medal and Scholarship ($1,000) went to the Tropical Trio of the New England Conservatory, Boston, Massachusetts.  Members include Ingrid Yen (violin), Madeleine Tucker (cello) and Jinsoo David Lim (piano).

About Fischoff
Founded in 1973 in South Bend, Indiana, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition has grown to become the largest chamber music competition in the world, and one of the most prestigious classical music prizes attainable today. Since its founding, more than 5,000 musicians have participated, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education.

Axiom Brass Captures First Fischoff Educator Award

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Chicago-Based Ensemble to Receive Cash Prize, Residency Week

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA (August 11, 2010) – The Axiom Brass Quintet has won the inaugural Fischoff Educator Award.  This national award recognizes the educational outreach work of Fischoff Competition alumni who have demonstrated outstanding and imaginative programming for children and youth in the United States.

The unique Fischoff Educator Award is a complementary benchmark to the Fischoff Competition, which provides a forum for America’s finest emerging chamber ensembles.  The Educator Award honors past Fischoff Competition musicians who have established professional careers in chamber music, and have proven their ability to successfully build a career in both music performance and outreach education.  The Fischoff Educator Award expands upon Fischoff’s long-standing commitment to music education, and to the development and recognition of emerging chamber musicians.  As winners of the inaugural Fischoff Educator Award, Axiom Brass will receive a cash award and a residency week as part of Fischoff’s award-winning Arts-in-Education Residency.  The residency will take place during Fall, 2011.

In addition to a Bronze Medal win at the 2010 Fischoff Competition, Axiom Brass won the 2008 International Chamber Brass Competition held at the University of Louisville, KY.  Axiom’s blend of virtuosic performances and dynamic teaching has been an inspiration to students of all ages, and their educational programs have guided students to success in high school and college programs across the country.  They are actively involved with musical programs around the country, conducting masterclasses, seminars, lectures, concerts, and teaching at universities and public schools.  Axiom Brass was recently appointed Brass Quintet-in-Residence at the Music Institute of Chicago.  Ensemble members include Dorival Puccini, Jr. (trumpet), Colin Oldberg (trumpet), Matthew Oliphant (horn), Brett Johnson (trombone) and Kevin Harrison (tuba).

About Fischoff

Founded in 1973 in South Bend, Indiana, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition has grown to become the largest chamber music competition in the world, and one of the most prestigious classical music prizes attainable today. Since its founding, more than 6,000 musicians have participated, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education.  Committed to music education, the Fischoff also partners with competition alumni to bring free, innovative Arts-in-Education programs directly to children in their own schools and community centers. Since 1995, nearly 50,000 children, youth and adults have received free educational programming of the highest order.

Maher Assumes Presidency of the Fischoff

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Local Attorney to Lead Sponsoring Organization of World's Largest Chamber Music Competition

NOTRE DAME, IN (August 10, 2010) – Timothy J. Maher, partner at Barnes & Thornburg, LLP, has assumed the presidency of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association as of July 1, 2010.  He graduated from Cornell College with a Bachelor of Special Studies degree in history, politics, and English in 1987. Mr. Maher graduated in 1990 from Notre Dame Law School where he participated in the Concannon Programme of International Law in London.

“We as an organization are so fortunate to have Tim serving in this capacity,” says Ann Divine, Executive Director. “We are confident that under his leadership, Fischoff will continue to grow nationally while expanding collaborations within our own community.”

Board officers also include: Edward Bradley, Vice President; Craig Taelman, Secretary; and, JoAnn Wittenbach, Treasurer.

About Fischoff

Founded in 1973 in South Bend, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition has grown to become the largest chamber music competition in the world, and one of the most prestigious classical music prizes attainable today. Since its founding, more than 5,000 musicians have participated, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education.  Committed to music education, the Fischoff also partners with competition alumni to bring free, innovative Arts-in-Education programs directly to children in their own schools and community centers throughout Michiana.

The Old City String Quartet Captures Coveted Fischoff Grand Prize

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Out of 48 competing ensembles from across the nation and around the world, the Old City String Quartet has won the coveted Grand Prize of the 2010 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition ($7,500) and the Gold Medal ($3,000) in the Senior String Division. Joel Link (violin), Bryan Lee (violin), Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt (viola) and Camden Shaw (cello) are from the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  In addition to prize money, the quartet will participate in a Winner's Tour of the Midwestern United States in October, and will perform several concerts in the Emilia Romagna Festival in Italy in 2011.
Out of 48 competing ensembles from across the nation and around the world, the Old City String Quartet has won the coveted Grand Prize of the 2010 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition ($7,500) and the Gold Medal ($3,000) in the Senior String Division. Joel Link (violin), Bryan Lee (violin), Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt (viola) and Camden Shaw (cello) are from the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  In addition to prize money, the quartet will participate in a Winner’s Tour of the Midwestern United States in October, and will perform several concerts in the Emilia Romagna Festival in Italy in 2011.

The Senior String Division Silver Medal ($2,000) went to the Chimeng Quartet from Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.  Members include Luosha Fang (violin), Yang Li (violin), Shuangshuang Liu (viola) and Jia Cao (cello).  The Senior String Division Barbara Shields Byrum Bronze Medal ($1,000) went to the Lysander Piano Trio from the Juilliard School, New York, New York. Members include Itamar Zorman (violin), Madeleine Kabat (cello), and Liza Stepanova (piano).

In the Senior Wind Division, the Angeles Saxophone Quartet from University of California – Los Angeles won the Gold Medal ($3,000).  Ensemble members include Christopher Elchico (soprano saxophone), Ryan Weston (alto saxophone), Umut Dursun (tenor saxophone) and Andrew Barnhart (baritone saxophone).  The Senior Wind Division Silver Medal ($2,000) was awarded to Axius from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.  Members include Stephen Page (soprano saxophone), Colin Young (alto saxophone), Ryan Smith (tenor saxophone) and Nathan Bogert (baritone saxophone).  The Senior Wind Division Bronze Medal ($1,000) was awarded to Axiom Brass of Chicago, Illinois.  Ensemble members include Dorival Puccini, Jr. (trumpet), Colin Oldberg (trumpet), Matthew Oliphant (horn), Brett Johnson (trombone) and Kevin Harrison (tuba).

In the Junior Division (musicians under the age of eighteen), the First Place Medal and Scholarship of $2,000 was awarded to Quartet Danae of the Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago, Wilmette, Illinois.  Members include Zachary Spontak (violin), Sophia Cho (violin), Leah Ferguson (viola), and Benjamin Fried (cello).  The Second Place Medal and Scholarship of $1,500 was won by the Emerald Quartet, also of the Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago, Wilmette, Illinois.  Members include Clayton Penrose-Whitmore (violin), Kenneth Jones-Madrid (violin), Ethan Hoppe (viola), and Alexander Hersh (cello).  The Third Place Medal and Scholarship ($1,000) went to the Foraret Quartet of the New England Conservatory, Boston, Massachusetts. Members include Ryan Shannon (violin), Erin Kim (violin), Tanny Kang (viola), and Joinatsuru Yanai (cello).

About Fischoff
Founded in 1973 in South Bend, Indiana, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition has grown to become the largest chamber music competition in the world, and one of the most prestigious classical music prizes attainable today. Since its founding, more than 5,000 musicians have participated, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education.