Fischoff Collaborates with University of Notre Dame for 2026 Chamber Music Summer Intensive

Notre Dame, IN (March 19, 2026) – The Fischoff National Chamber Music Association is excited to announce a new collaboration with the University of Notre Dame that supports the expansion of the annual Fischoff Summer Chamber Music Intensive.

The collaboration includes the Notre Dame Arts Initiative, Department of Music, and Sacred Music at Notre Dame. The 2026 Summer Intensive, taking place June 22-26, includes a relocation to the Notre Dame campus and an increased capacity to accept up to 34 students. The program also welcomes new faculty-in-residence: 2014 Fischoff Competition Grand Prize Winner Telegraph Quartet, and Notre Dame faculty pianist Daniel Schlosberg.

Students participate in a weeklong intensive program, working intimately in small ensembles of 3-6 musicians to strengthen both performance and life skills such as collaboration, communication, leadership, respect, and creative problem-solving through chamber music. Fischoff‘s Summer Chamber Music Intensive was founded in 2023 in collaboration with Saint Mary’s College and the South Bend Youth Symphony with the mission of supporting young musicians as they dive deeply into the world of chamber music.

“This significant, new collaboration with Notre Dame allows Fischoff to expand our successful Summer Intensive initiative and continue providing life-changing experiences through chamber music”, said Josh Aerie, Fischoff Executive Director. “On behalf of Fischoff, I’m deeply grateful for both Saint Mary’s College and the South Bend Youth Symphony’s initial collaboration that, for the past three years, helped to lay the foundation for this expansion,” Aerie added.

“Fischoff’s Summer Intensive is designed to be more than a week of music-making—it’s a transformational experience for young musicians. It’s so rewarding to provide the opportunity for students, through chamber music, to learn to listen deeply, communicate respectfully, lead with confidence, and collaborate to create something wonderful to share with the community and build lasting musical friendships. The Fischoff Summer Intensive cultivates a unique environment where young musicians feel challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their highest potential,” said Megan Simmons, Fischoff Chamber Music Academy & Summer Intensive Director and Operations Manager.

“The Notre Dame Arts Initiative, launched in 2024, is redefining the arts as a vital part of campus and community life. Hosting the Fischoff Summer Intensive not only provides young musicians a transformative opportunity to train and perform on Notre Dame’s campus, it also strengthens our region’s creative ecosystem through early arts education, community engagement, and thoughtful collaboration,” said Michael Schreffler, director of the Notre Dame Arts Initiative. “We are thrilled to welcome the 2026 Summer Intensive students and faculty to campus.”

The application deadline for the 2026 Summer Intensive is Sunday, April 19, at 11:59 PM (EST). A $50 early-bird discount is available until Sunday, March 22. Additional information and audition requirements can be found at: www.fischoff.org/education/summer-intensive/