Fischoff National Chamber Music Association Announces New Prize

For Senior Division Competition ensembles, the Fischoff Lift Every Voice Prize will be presented during the 49^thAnnual Fischoff Competition in South Bend, Indiana, May 20-22, 2022.

With the aim to amplify and celebrate the historically underrepresented composers, this inaugural prize will focus on performances of works by Black and/or Hispanic/Latino/a composers — future years will look to highlight additional underrepresented groups.

All video submissions by quarterfinalist ensembles will be broadcast on The Violin Channel on Friday, May 20. The winning and runner up ensembles will participate in an in-person soiree in South Bend that same evening.

The Lift Every Voice Prize winner will also perform on the Gold Medal Concert on Sunday, May 22, and receive a $1,500 award, generously underwritten by Alfred J. Guillaume, Jr. and Melanie Smith-Guillaume. Dr. Guillaume is a Fischoff Board member and the Chair of Fischoff's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

The jury for this prize includes Michael Cameron, Julio Elizalde, and Jeff Scott.

“The Fischoff board and staff are committed to making room on our mainstage for amazing performances of works by historically underrepresented composers," said Fischoff Executive Director Kara Kane. "Fischoff is excited to introduce this new prize to encourage senior division ensembles to delve into these incredible works and to help expand the chamber music canon. With our national and international presence in the chamber music world, Fischoff has a remarkable opportunity to help elevate new and underrepresented voices.”

The application deadline for the 49th Annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition is March 2, 2022.