The Peer Ambassadors for Chamber Music (PACMan) program takes place on Friday of the Fischoff Competition weekend. It involves our youngest competitors – ensembles from the Junior Division.

Each year, carefully chosen junior ensembles are invited into area classrooms to present informal performance-workshops for second and third graders. The program’s purpose is to present to little learners a friendly and “real” introduction to chamber music. Since Fischoff Junior Division competitors are also in school, they make perfect peer-role models for elementary school children who look up to and identify with older students.  The performance level of Fischoff junior division ensembles creates an excitement that is a powerful mentoring tool in encouraging young children to pursue music and to consider joining their own school or community band and orchestra programs.

We wish to acknowledge and thank the following Peer Ambassadors ensembles participating in 2026:

• Alpaca Quartet, Los Angeles, CA
• Congredi Quartet, Worthington, OH
• Creekview Saxophone Quartet, Carrollton, TX
• DSCH Trio, Diamond Bar, CA
• The Hermosa Quartet, St. Louis, MO
• Oracle Quartet, Glendale, AZ
• Quid Nunc, San Antonio, TX
• Trio Brisa, Boston, MA
• Trio Nannerl, Weston, MA
• Valinor Trio, Chicago, IL
• Vera Quartet, Boston, MA

Schools receiving Peer Ambassadors programs in 2026:

• Ballard Elementary School, Niles, MI
• Holy Cross School, South Bend, IN
• Lincoln Elementary School, South Bend, IN
• Madison S.T.E.A.M. Academy, South Bend, IN
• Monroe Elementary School, South Bend, IN
• Muessel Elementary School, South Bend, IN
• Riverview Elementary School, Elkhart, IN
• Robinson Community Learning Center, South Bend, IN
• Osolo Elementary School, Elkhart, IN
• Twin Branch Elementary School, Mishawaka, IN
• West Goshen Elementary School, Goshen, IN

Major funding for PACMan comes from an endowment established for the program by Barbara Warner. Special thanks to Diane & Nick Entrikin for their generous support of PACMan, along with our gala fund a need contributors. Additional funding is provided by generous annual contributions from our donors and sponsors.