We have been enjoying listening to the Preliminary DVD auditions! The result of the anonymous ensembles will be posted on our web site within the first week of March, after all the contestants have nee contacted.

*NEW* You can now purchase the tickets to the Finals & Award Ceremony on March 22 via Ticketmaster! You are also welcome to purchase the tickets directly at the Missouri Theatre, now on sale at the box office.

Plowman Chamber Music Competition is a national event that takes place first, ahead of other established competitions such as Coleman and Fischoff. Held in Columbia, Missouri. Plowman and its audiences have the privilege of being the first to listen and to discover the next great chamber ensemble.

We are 10 days away from the final deadline! So here are 10 reasons why you should consider submitting your DVD application today.

1. Three GREAT internationally esteemed judges.
   
2. Meet other ensembles of the same high level, with whom you will likely build invaluable working relationships in the near future.
3. A chance to perform a 45-min program in our community, Friday afternoon - pending your availability, Semi-Finalists.
4. Columbia Regional Airport has MUCH improved, both in price and in schedule. No more 2 hr-drive to/from St. Louis or Kansas City - unless that's your choice.
5. You will meet some of the nicest people working as volunteers, who will support you all the way to the Vianello Audience Prize.
6. You will visit one of the best collegiate towns in the U.S. *Disclaimer* We will also be on spring break = more parking for us!
   
7. Enjoy some of the best restaurants - and we have MANY.
8. Columbia is generally cost effective.
9. A rare chance to perform formally at the historic Missouri Theatre.
   
10. ...Of course, there is that "Over $10,000+ in Cash Awards."
11. This is necessary: Did we mention we provide water AND bananas??

Will we hear YOUR ensemble this year? We hope so!

The Fischoff National Chamber Music Association is delighted to announce that Akropolis Reed Quintet has been selected as the winner of the 2015 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. It honors musicians who have established professional careers in chamber music, and have proven their ability to successfully build a career in both chamber music performance and outreach education. 

As winner of the Fischoff Educator Award, Akropolis will receive a coveted endorsement from Fischoff, a cash award, and a week of community outreach programs in the South Bend region during the spring of 2015 as part of Fischoff's award-winning Arts-in-Education Residency. 

Described by Fanfare Magazine as playing with "imagination, infallible musicality, and huge vitality," the Akropolis Reed Quintet is a cutting edge ensemble that performs an innovative, living repertoire with acclaimed precision. Akropolis won the 2014 Fischoff Competition's Senior Wind Division Gold Medal. They were also grand prize winners of the 2011 Plowman Chamber Music Competition and the 2011 MTNA Competition. For the 12/13 season Akropolis was the Ensemble-in-Residence with the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, one of the United States' premiere chamber music presenters, and was invited to be a Shouse Institute ensemble for the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival.

Read more at: http://www.fischoff.org/news/akropolis-reed-quintet-wins-fischoffs-2015-educator-award/

2014 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition recently held its Finals this past weekend, and the result highlighted TWO Plowman Laureates!!  Our heartfelt congratulations to Gold Medal Winner of Senior Wind Division to Akropolis Reed Quintet (Plowman 2011; previously they won Silver Medal in Fischoff 2012 Senior Wind Division), AND Silver Medal Winner of Senior String Division to Altius Quartet (Plowman 2013).

Kenari Quartet, who won the 2013 Plowman First Prize in Winds, Brass & Percussion, has just recently won the First Place at the prestigious Coleman Chamber Music Competition in California!  Quoting their Facebook page post, "We're extremely excited to have won the Coleman-Saunderson Prize for Woodwinds or Brass of the Coleman Chamber Music Competition!" The prize is worth $4000. You can follow their activities via Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/kenariquartet, and you can also HEAR them on SoundCloud, https://soundcloud.com/kenari-quartet

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for the most exciting national chamber music event in the Midwest, in a friendly and eclectic collegiate town of Columbia, Missouri!

Saturday, March 21, 2015 - Semi-Finals
Sunday, March 22, 2015 - Finals

As contestants, you will be asked to come into town Friday afternoon for an evening commencement. As finalists, you are required to be available all day Sunday. The schedule will remain similar to the one in 2013.

Laureates - Thank you for visiting! I will be in touch with you this Fall to follow-up on your post-competition achievements. In the meantime, please feel free to send me your news, and I will do the best I can to post your upcoming events on this web page.

Best,
Ayako Tsuruta
Artistic Director

Thank you for your interest in the Plowman Chamber Music Competition! 

We are biennial competition, and our next event will be held in 2015. We look forward to receiving your application and inquiries then!

Congratulations on your new web site, Altius Quartet (Plowman 2013)!

http://www.altiusquartet.com/