APPLICATION DEADLINES:
There are two deadlines for Plowman Competition:
February 7 or February 14, 2025 at 11:59pm.
We accept only PDF application via e-mail, with YouTube Video link(s) submission.
| 2025_plowman_-_application_info_rev.pdf |
| 2025_plowman_-_application_form.pdf |
TIPS
- Two eligible ensembles will be invited to perform an outreach concert on Friday, March 21, 2025 with an honorarium. Details will be provided once you are accepted to the Semi-Finals round.
- Please thoroughly check your schedule in advance. Many Semi-Finalists in the past needed schedule accommodation and/or found out about conflicts with academic obligations long after they were accepted. We will work with you as much as we can, however there are limitations.
- If you have questions, especially if you are feeling uncertain about requirements and eligibility, please ask.
- To be eligible for $50/member application, all the materials must arrive on/before February 7, 2025. All ensembles whose applications were received after February 7 will be asked to pay $60/member application fee).
- Video may be from a live performance. There may be breaks between the movements or where they are appropriate. Please ensure the video links you submit are in good working condition.
The Plowman Chamber Music Competition in two categories:
Piano & Strings · Brass, Woodwinds & Percussion
All Semi-Finals will take place Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Columbia
The Competition continues with the Finals Concert and the Awards Ceremony
on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at the Missouri Theatre.
Later, there will be a reception held at the MU Chancellor's Residence, where Finalists may speak to the judges.
Awards
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
$5000
Grand Prize
&
Odyssey Chamber Music Series Award ($2000)
*Odyssey Award is offered to one of the top five available laureates to perform in Odyssey Chamber Music Series at agreed time in its Season 22: 2025-2026. If the Grand Prize winner is not able, other laureates from the 2025 Plowman Competition will be offered a performance opportunity in the Odyssey Series. $2000 Honorarium is given at the time of the Season 22 concert, and accommodation for the ensemble will be provided.
$2500
Two First Prizes, one in each category
$1000
Honorable Mention(s)
$500
The Hugo Vianello Audience Prize
Judges
(Guest Artists and Judges subject to change)
Edward Auer piano
Indiana University
Ida Kavafian, violoncello
Curtis Institute of Music
Chien-Kwan Lin, saxophone
Eastman School of Music
Application Fee & Deadline
$50 non-refundable fee for each member of the ensemble is due with the application on February 7, 2025.
Any application or materials received after February 7 will be assessed $60 fee for each member, and
must be received no later than 11:59pm on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Only online payments will be accepted (with 3.5% surcharge).
PDF application form and online fees are required of all contestants.
Notification of the Preliminary results will be sent by e-mail before Wednesday, March 1, 2025.
Submitted materials will not be returned.
Competition and Performance
There are three stages to the competition: Preliminary recording audition, Semi-Finals and Finals. At the Semi-Finals, each ensemble will perform for the judges a portion of their prepared work. When the Preliminary results are announced by e-mail in March, the Semi-Finals audition time and other pertinent information will also be provided. Indicate on the application your choice of the first composition and movement with which you would like to begin the Semi-Finals performance. NO changes are allowed after March 1, 2025. Thereafter, the judges will be free to stop the performance at any time and select what they would like to hear next from your competition program.
The Semi-Finals
No more than 15 qualifying ensembles are invited to compete. Semi-Finals take place Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Columbia; the audition times are determined by lottery and are non-negotiable.
Semi-Final performances are ticketed and open to the public. Each ensemble will be given no more than 20 minutes to perform, which includes set-up time. The ensemble will decide the first 5-6 minutes and one movement/ piece of their performance; thereafter the judges reserve the right to stop the ensemble and conduct the rest of the program.
The Finals & Award Ceremony
Up to five ensembles, at least two from each category, will be chosen to proceed to the Finals. The Finals takes place on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 1:30pm in the form of a formal public concert at the historic Missouri Theatre. Each ensemble are given 30 minutes (set-up inclusive) to perform a program of their choice. No repertoire changes are allowed between Semi-Finals and Finals. Repertoire performed in the Semi-Finals may be repeated, however the judges reserve the right to request specific movement(s) or composition(s) not heard at the semi-finals. Immediately following the Finals Concert, winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony. Finalists are required to participate in the Award Ceremony otherwise they will forfeit the award.
Submission of all application material and sound recording indicates the ensemble’s full intention and
financial capability of competing in the 2025 Plowman Chamber Music Competition if invited to participate.
REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility
Open to instrumental ensembles of three to six players. Members must be interested in, or already pursuing a career in music. However, ensembles with management as of March 22, 2025 are not eligible. The ensemble may not have more than one piano. Piano is the only keyboard instrument eligible in the competition.
The Plowman Chamber Music Competition is unable to accommodate ensembles that require more than five minutes to set-up and tear-down time (i.e., numerous percussion instruments, complex electronic set-ups, etc.). The ensemble is responsible for arranging for, and/or bringing their instruments and music.
Category
The ensemble’s category is determined by the majority of the instruments played in an ensemble. The Artistic Director reserves the right to determine the category for an ensemble with an equal number of strings and wind/brass instruments.
Age Limit
Each member must be under 40 years of age as of March 22, 2025.
Repertoire
Requirement: Minimum of two complete works of distinctly contrasting character, from at least two different musical periods, or composed 50 years apart, with a minimum of 30 minutes of music.
YouTube videos are the only basis for selection of the participating ensembles. The personnel submitted in the recording must be the same at the competition; no substitutions will be allowed.
The repertoire may be changed for the Semi-Finals, so long as the change follows the Repertoire Guideline (above), and a recommendation letter, from a musician of an international stature is attached, stating the reason for the change and that the quality of the substitute piece(s) is acceptable.
*Finalist ensembles with original members from the 2023 Plowman Chamber Music Competition are exempted from the preliminary recording audition, with submission of an application form and fees.
Application Instructions
The Finals and Awards Ceremony
All finalists will be presented in a public concert on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Each ensemble will perform all or part of a work from the prepared repertoire. The repertoire for the Finals will be determined by the ensemble. Awards will be presented following the concert. The Odyssey Chamber Music Series retains the right to withhold any prize, if, in the opinion of the judges, it is not merited. The Odyssey Chamber Music Series cannot act as agent or manager.
Restrictions
A member of the Grand Prize ensemble may compete in the Plowman Chamber Music Competition again, only if the ensemble consists of entirely new personnel and has a new ensemble name. No individual musician can be a member of more than one ensemble in the Competition. No changes in personnel or repertoire will be allowed once the application form is received by the Plowman Competition. Ensembles that perform repertoire with varied instrumentation must select works which use all members of the ensemble throughout the competition program. One representative member, who will claim the monetary award for an ensemble, must provide valid social security number or tax I.D. on the application. Failure to do so will require a withholding of 32% for federal taxes from the winner’s prize.
In addition, Grand Prize Winner will also be given the “Odyssey Award,” a performance opportunity to return to Columbia, Missouri in 2025-2026 Season to give a concert for an honorarium, payable after the return performance. If an agreed time cannot be decided by May 2025, the Odyssey Director reserves the rights to choose from one of the two First Prize winners, or cancel.
Scores
Each ensemble must provide a total of three original sets of scores of the competition repertoire at their Semi-Final audition. All ensembles must abide by the federal copyright law. Plowman Competition will NOT be liable for any copyright infringement. Photocopies may not be made in order to avoid purchasing scores needed for performers or judges. *If you have copies or PDF on iPad, you will be asked to sign a waiver.
Travel and Lodging
All travel, lodging and meal expenses are the responsibility of the ensemble, as well as transportation of their own instrument(s). Further information will be provided to the Semi-Finalist ensembles. Any ensemble with one or more participant under the age of 18 must have a designated adult chaperone at the competition.
Sound & Visual Recordings
Record each composition in its entirety. Make every effort to submit high quality recordings. Make notes of repertoire and timing only. DO NOT include names of performers or ensemble or any spoken commentary. Submit the videos in one unpublished YouTube link, indexed by composition and movements.
Deadline
Your application must be received by Ayako Tsuruta no later than 11:59pm on February 14, 2025.
Application Materials Must Include:
Fully completed application form. (PDF)
· Fee payment via Square "Plowman," or Venmo @OdysseyCMS
($50.00 per performer; $60 per performer after Feb. 14, 2025).
· Proof of age (.jpeg or .pdf of passport, driver’s license, etc.).
· Social Security or Tax I.D. of the representative payee of an ensemble.
· Unpublished YouTube video link(s), with only the repertoire and timing noted.
· A letter of recommendation as optional supporting material.
The letter is required, if repertoire will be changed from the Preliminary to Semi-Finals.
Piano & Strings · Brass, Woodwinds & Percussion
All Semi-Finals will take place Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Columbia
The Competition continues with the Finals Concert and the Awards Ceremony
on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at the Missouri Theatre.
Later, there will be a reception held at the MU Chancellor's Residence, where Finalists may speak to the judges.
Awards
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
$5000
Grand Prize
&
Odyssey Chamber Music Series Award ($2000)
*Odyssey Award is offered to one of the top five available laureates to perform in Odyssey Chamber Music Series at agreed time in its Season 22: 2025-2026. If the Grand Prize winner is not able, other laureates from the 2025 Plowman Competition will be offered a performance opportunity in the Odyssey Series. $2000 Honorarium is given at the time of the Season 22 concert, and accommodation for the ensemble will be provided.
$2500
Two First Prizes, one in each category
$1000
Honorable Mention(s)
$500
The Hugo Vianello Audience Prize
Judges
(Guest Artists and Judges subject to change)
Edward Auer piano
Indiana University
Ida Kavafian, violoncello
Curtis Institute of Music
Chien-Kwan Lin, saxophone
Eastman School of Music
Application Fee & Deadline
$50 non-refundable fee for each member of the ensemble is due with the application on February 7, 2025.
Any application or materials received after February 7 will be assessed $60 fee for each member, and
must be received no later than 11:59pm on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Only online payments will be accepted (with 3.5% surcharge).
PDF application form and online fees are required of all contestants.
Notification of the Preliminary results will be sent by e-mail before Wednesday, March 1, 2025.
Submitted materials will not be returned.
Competition and Performance
There are three stages to the competition: Preliminary recording audition, Semi-Finals and Finals. At the Semi-Finals, each ensemble will perform for the judges a portion of their prepared work. When the Preliminary results are announced by e-mail in March, the Semi-Finals audition time and other pertinent information will also be provided. Indicate on the application your choice of the first composition and movement with which you would like to begin the Semi-Finals performance. NO changes are allowed after March 1, 2025. Thereafter, the judges will be free to stop the performance at any time and select what they would like to hear next from your competition program.
The Semi-Finals
No more than 15 qualifying ensembles are invited to compete. Semi-Finals take place Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Columbia; the audition times are determined by lottery and are non-negotiable.
Semi-Final performances are ticketed and open to the public. Each ensemble will be given no more than 20 minutes to perform, which includes set-up time. The ensemble will decide the first 5-6 minutes and one movement/ piece of their performance; thereafter the judges reserve the right to stop the ensemble and conduct the rest of the program.
The Finals & Award Ceremony
Up to five ensembles, at least two from each category, will be chosen to proceed to the Finals. The Finals takes place on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 1:30pm in the form of a formal public concert at the historic Missouri Theatre. Each ensemble are given 30 minutes (set-up inclusive) to perform a program of their choice. No repertoire changes are allowed between Semi-Finals and Finals. Repertoire performed in the Semi-Finals may be repeated, however the judges reserve the right to request specific movement(s) or composition(s) not heard at the semi-finals. Immediately following the Finals Concert, winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony. Finalists are required to participate in the Award Ceremony otherwise they will forfeit the award.
Submission of all application material and sound recording indicates the ensemble’s full intention and
financial capability of competing in the 2025 Plowman Chamber Music Competition if invited to participate.
REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility
Open to instrumental ensembles of three to six players. Members must be interested in, or already pursuing a career in music. However, ensembles with management as of March 22, 2025 are not eligible. The ensemble may not have more than one piano. Piano is the only keyboard instrument eligible in the competition.
The Plowman Chamber Music Competition is unable to accommodate ensembles that require more than five minutes to set-up and tear-down time (i.e., numerous percussion instruments, complex electronic set-ups, etc.). The ensemble is responsible for arranging for, and/or bringing their instruments and music.
Category
The ensemble’s category is determined by the majority of the instruments played in an ensemble. The Artistic Director reserves the right to determine the category for an ensemble with an equal number of strings and wind/brass instruments.
Age Limit
Each member must be under 40 years of age as of March 22, 2025.
Repertoire
Requirement: Minimum of two complete works of distinctly contrasting character, from at least two different musical periods, or composed 50 years apart, with a minimum of 30 minutes of music.
YouTube videos are the only basis for selection of the participating ensembles. The personnel submitted in the recording must be the same at the competition; no substitutions will be allowed.
The repertoire may be changed for the Semi-Finals, so long as the change follows the Repertoire Guideline (above), and a recommendation letter, from a musician of an international stature is attached, stating the reason for the change and that the quality of the substitute piece(s) is acceptable.
*Finalist ensembles with original members from the 2023 Plowman Chamber Music Competition are exempted from the preliminary recording audition, with submission of an application form and fees.
Application Instructions
The Finals and Awards Ceremony
All finalists will be presented in a public concert on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Each ensemble will perform all or part of a work from the prepared repertoire. The repertoire for the Finals will be determined by the ensemble. Awards will be presented following the concert. The Odyssey Chamber Music Series retains the right to withhold any prize, if, in the opinion of the judges, it is not merited. The Odyssey Chamber Music Series cannot act as agent or manager.
Restrictions
A member of the Grand Prize ensemble may compete in the Plowman Chamber Music Competition again, only if the ensemble consists of entirely new personnel and has a new ensemble name. No individual musician can be a member of more than one ensemble in the Competition. No changes in personnel or repertoire will be allowed once the application form is received by the Plowman Competition. Ensembles that perform repertoire with varied instrumentation must select works which use all members of the ensemble throughout the competition program. One representative member, who will claim the monetary award for an ensemble, must provide valid social security number or tax I.D. on the application. Failure to do so will require a withholding of 32% for federal taxes from the winner’s prize.
In addition, Grand Prize Winner will also be given the “Odyssey Award,” a performance opportunity to return to Columbia, Missouri in 2025-2026 Season to give a concert for an honorarium, payable after the return performance. If an agreed time cannot be decided by May 2025, the Odyssey Director reserves the rights to choose from one of the two First Prize winners, or cancel.
Scores
Each ensemble must provide a total of three original sets of scores of the competition repertoire at their Semi-Final audition. All ensembles must abide by the federal copyright law. Plowman Competition will NOT be liable for any copyright infringement. Photocopies may not be made in order to avoid purchasing scores needed for performers or judges. *If you have copies or PDF on iPad, you will be asked to sign a waiver.
Travel and Lodging
All travel, lodging and meal expenses are the responsibility of the ensemble, as well as transportation of their own instrument(s). Further information will be provided to the Semi-Finalist ensembles. Any ensemble with one or more participant under the age of 18 must have a designated adult chaperone at the competition.
Sound & Visual Recordings
Record each composition in its entirety. Make every effort to submit high quality recordings. Make notes of repertoire and timing only. DO NOT include names of performers or ensemble or any spoken commentary. Submit the videos in one unpublished YouTube link, indexed by composition and movements.
Deadline
Your application must be received by Ayako Tsuruta no later than 11:59pm on February 14, 2025.
Application Materials Must Include:
Fully completed application form. (PDF)
· Fee payment via Square "Plowman," or Venmo @OdysseyCMS
($50.00 per performer; $60 per performer after Feb. 14, 2025).
· Proof of age (.jpeg or .pdf of passport, driver’s license, etc.).
· Social Security or Tax I.D. of the representative payee of an ensemble.
· Unpublished YouTube video link(s), with only the repertoire and timing noted.
· A letter of recommendation as optional supporting material.
The letter is required, if repertoire will be changed from the Preliminary to Semi-Finals.
2015 Plowman Competition Semi-Finalist, The Kyodai Brass