The 2025 Plowman Chamber Music Competition & Festival

Greetings from Columbia, Missouri!

We are VERY excited to announce the next Plowman Chamber Music Competition taking place in March 2025. If you have been following us, you will see some positive changes.

First, we are beyond grateful violinist Ida Kavafian has agreed to judge Plowman again! Due to unforeseen circumstances, she had to cancel our 2019 event. Our amazing friend, violinist Lara St. John stepped in to perform an incredible recital and judge the competition, exactly a year before the pandemic. In 2023, we thoroughly enjoyed hosting cellist Amit Peled, and now, we felt we could approach Ida again. (Thank you, Ida!)

Speaking of hosting, we are finally able to offer a reception for the Plowman competitors and guests after the Finals and Awards Ceremony after 6pm on Sunday, March 23. The President of the University of Missouri System and the MU Chancellor, Dr. Mun Choi has generously invited all of us to his Chancellor's House on campus, just 3 blocks from the Missouri Theatre. There, the finalists are invited to speak to the judges about their performances, and celebrate as well.

There will be reasons to celebrate: In 2025, Grand Prize Winner will walk away with not just the $5000 cash award, but also with Odyssey Award - which is an offer to come back to our beautiful collegiate town as guest artists to perform a concert in Odyssey Chamber Music Series in 2026. Odyssey guest artists' traveling expenses and lodging are usually fully covered (we have thus far met all requests); more importantly, it is an opportunity for the returning ensemble to expand its audience base, starting with the Plowman audiences.

In addition, an anonymous donor has kindly increased the other prizes by $500 for 2025 and 2027: $2500 for the First Prizes and $1000 for Honorable Mentions. Audience prize remains at $500, and it is awarded in addition to any of the five finalist's prize.

With these exciting news, why has this Blog been silent for so long? ...Because honestly, I forgot about it, until I spoke with a friend asked me today why it was suspended. It was one of those revelations, "Someone is reading the Blog!"

Good to be back, and I will try to catch up more regularly, with more information in the coming months leading to the competition.

In the meantime, wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Ayako Tsuruta
Artistic Director