About the Plowman Competition
One of many chandeliers in the Missouri Theatre.
The Plowman Chamber Music Competition (Plowman) celebrated its inaugural year in 2006. The Competition provides an opportunity for non-professional musicians to perform in front of an outstanding panel of nationally chosen judges for the cash awards, including $5000 grand prize and an invitation to give a concert the following season under Odyssey Chamber Music Series.
Located in the heartland of the United States in Columbia, Missouri, Plowman will invite approximately 15 ensembles to take part in the semi-final competition, followed by a formal Finals Concert.
Mission Statement:
The purpose of the Plowman Chamber Music Competition is to assist emerging chamber ensembles in their artistic development, to encourage them to pursue careers in chamber music, and to provide a forum for their talents. Plowman intends to raise Columbia's cultural status nationally through promotion of quality music. Plowman will support ensembles in achieving the highest level of accomplishment and foster a collegial environment among the participating musicians.
Janice Plowman: The Plowman Chamber Music Competition is in honor of Janice Plowman. The Missouri Symphony Society (now Missouri Symphony [theMOSY.org]) is proud to honor a Columbia community member who dedicated her life to education and the arts. This event will go to serve Ms. Plowman's ideals. We trust her spirit will live on through the Plowman Chamber Music Competition.
Located in the heartland of the United States in Columbia, Missouri, Plowman will invite approximately 15 ensembles to take part in the semi-final competition, followed by a formal Finals Concert.
Mission Statement:
The purpose of the Plowman Chamber Music Competition is to assist emerging chamber ensembles in their artistic development, to encourage them to pursue careers in chamber music, and to provide a forum for their talents. Plowman intends to raise Columbia's cultural status nationally through promotion of quality music. Plowman will support ensembles in achieving the highest level of accomplishment and foster a collegial environment among the participating musicians.
Janice Plowman: The Plowman Chamber Music Competition is in honor of Janice Plowman. The Missouri Symphony Society (now Missouri Symphony [theMOSY.org]) is proud to honor a Columbia community member who dedicated her life to education and the arts. This event will go to serve Ms. Plowman's ideals. We trust her spirit will live on through the Plowman Chamber Music Competition.
The 11th Plowman Chamber Music Competition & Festival
took place March 22 & 23, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri
Past Plowman Judges
Past Plowman Judges
2025: Edward Auer, Ida Kavafian, Chien-Kwan Lin
2023: Lucille Chung, Amit Peled, Jeff Scott
2021: Event cancelled due to the pandemic
2019: Dale Clevenger, Lara St. John, Wei-Yi Yang
2017: Alessio Bax, Joel Krosnick, William Scharnberg
2015: Sergei Babayan, Paul Biss, Frank Morelli
2013: Frederic Chiu, Randy Gardner, Peter Wiley
2011: Anne Epperson, Peter Salaff, David Shifrin
2010: Atar Arad, Boris Berman, Mark Kellogg
2008: Melvin Chen, Frederic Hemke, Mathias Tacke
2007: Charles Castleman, Peter Frankl, Gail Williams
2006: Linda Chesis, Claude Frank, Wolfgang Laufer
2025: Edward Auer, Ida Kavafian, Chien-Kwan Lin
2023: Lucille Chung, Amit Peled, Jeff Scott
2021: Event cancelled due to the pandemic
2019: Dale Clevenger, Lara St. John, Wei-Yi Yang
2017: Alessio Bax, Joel Krosnick, William Scharnberg
2015: Sergei Babayan, Paul Biss, Frank Morelli
2013: Frederic Chiu, Randy Gardner, Peter Wiley
2011: Anne Epperson, Peter Salaff, David Shifrin
2010: Atar Arad, Boris Berman, Mark Kellogg
2008: Melvin Chen, Frederic Hemke, Mathias Tacke
2007: Charles Castleman, Peter Frankl, Gail Williams
2006: Linda Chesis, Claude Frank, Wolfgang Laufer
| plowman_2025_final_program.pdf |
Plowman Laureates
2025 Awards
$5000 Grand Prize & the Odyssey Award* (+$2000) Vinola Trio
$2500 Georgia Morehouse, in memory of Larry Morehouse First Prize in Winds, Brass & Percussion Zed
$2500 Missouri Symphony, in memory of Hugo Vianello First Prize in Piano & Strings Setas Trio
$1000 Stephen and Joan Mudrick Honorable Mention Cerus Quartet
$1000 Stephen and Joan Mudrick Honorable Mention 4116
$500 The Vianello Family Audience Prize Zed
Judges Special Recognition Vantage Trio
Odyssey Music @ Lenoir Woods Setas Trio
Odyssey Music @ Columbia Public Schools Cerus Quartet, Lighthouse Quartet, Seville String Quartet, Vinola Trio
* Odyssey Award is offered to one of the top five available laureates to perform in Odyssey Chamber Music Series' Season 22 at an agreed time. If the Grand Prize winner is not able, other laureates from this season will be contacted with a performance opportunity in Odyssey Chamber Music Series. $2000 Honorarium is given at the time of the Season 22 concert, and accommodation for the ensemble is offered.
2023 Awards
$5000 Grand Prize and Odyssey Award* ($2000) Trio Menil (piano trio)
$2000 Georgia Morehouse, in memory of Larry Morehouse First Prize in Winds, Brass & Percussion Kodachrome Quartet
$2000 Missouri Symphony, in memory of Hugo Vianello First Prize in Piano & Strings Zelter String Quartet
$500 Stephen and Joan Mudrick Honorable Mention Estella Quartet (strings)
$500 Stephen and Joan Mudrick Honorable Mention Amo Brass (brass quintet)
$500 The Vianello Family Audience Prize Kodachrome Quartet (saxophone)
Judges Special Recognition Onda Sonora, Rasa String Quartet
Odyssey Music @ Lenoir Woods Eunoia String Quartet
Odyssey Music @ Columbia Public Schools Eunoia String Quartet, Kodachrome Quartet
*Odyssey Award is offered to one of the top five available laureates to perform in Odyssey Chamber Music Series' Season 20 at an agreed time. If the Grand Prize winner is not able, other laureates from this season will be contacted with a performance opportunity in Odyssey Chamber Music Series. $2000 Honorarium is given at the time of the Season 20 concert, and accommodation for the ensemble is offered.
2021 - NO COMPETITION.
2019 Awards
$5000 Dr. Edward and Judith Chmielewski Grand Prize and Odyssey Award* ($2000) Soma Quartet (saxophone)
$2000 Georgia Morehouse, in the memory of Dr. Larry Morehouse First Prize in Winds, Brass & Percussion
Colere Quartet (saxophone)
$2000 Missouri Symphony, in memory of Hugo Vianello First Prize in Piano & Strings Dior Quartet (string)
$500 Honorable Mention in the memory of Harry and Lina Berrier Trio Gaia (piano trio)
$500 Honorable Mention Vanguard Reed Quintet
$250 The Vianello Family Audience Prize Trio Gaia (piano trio)
Judges Special Recognition Abeo Quartet
Odyssey Music @ Lenoir Woods Soom Quintet (woodwind)
Odyssey Music @ The Village of Bedford Walk Dior Quartet (string)
2017 Awards
$5000 Dr. Edward and Judith Chmielewski Grand Prize Vera Quartet
$2000 Georgia Morehouse, in the memory of Dr. Larry Morehouse First Prize in Winds, Brass & Percussion
Ivani String Quartet
$2000 Anonymous Donor, In the memory of James U. Weaver First Prize in Piano & Strings
Fuego Saxophone Quartet
$500 Honorable Mention The North Trio (sax/sax/pn)
$500 Honorable Mention Stellio Trio (pn trio)
$200 Hugo Vianello Audience Prize Ivani String Quartet
Judges Special Recognition Koro String Quatet, Merz Piano Trio
Odyssey Music @ Lenoir Woods Ivani String Quartet
Odyssey Music @ The Village of Bedford Walk Vera Quartet
2015 Awards
$5000 Dr. David & Nancy Bedan Grand Prize Cardinal Winds (piano and ww quintet)
$2000 Dr. Edward and Judith Chmielewski First Prize in Piano & Strings Quartet Tito (string quartet)
$2000 Georgia Morehouse in the memory of Dr. Larry Morehouse First Prize in Winds, Brass & Percussion
The Kyodai Brass
$500 First Baptist Church of Columbia Honorable Mention Pavo Quartet (string quartet)
$500 Odyssey Chamber Music Series Honorable Mention QuinTexas (ww quintet)
$200 Hugo Vianello Audience Prize Quartet Tito (sting quartet)
Judges Special Recognition Stellio Trio (piano trio) and Hathor Winds (ww quintet)
Odyssey Music @ Lenoir Woods Deciduous Trio (fl-hp-va)
2013 Awards
$5000 Dr. David & Nancy Bedan Grand Prize Project Fusion (saxophone quartet)
$2000 Odyssey Chamber Music Series in the memory of Dr. Harry Berrier First Prize in Piano & Strings
Altius Quartet (string quartet)
$2000 Georgia Morehouse in the memory of Dr. Larry Morehouse First Prize in Winds, Brass & Percussion
Kenari Quartet (saxophone quartet)
$500 Dr. Edward and Judith Chmielewski Honorable Mention Orava String Quartet
$500 Anonymous Donor in Honor of Odyssey Musicians Nautilus Brass Quintet
Hugo Vianello Audience Prize Project Fusion (saxophone quartet)
Judges Special Recognition Trio Artica (pn trio), The Fawn Trio (pn-fl-cl), Khrysos Saxophone Quartet
2012 - NO COMPETITION.
2011* Laureates
* 2011 Plowman Chamber Music Competition was dedicated to Dr. Larry Morehouse.
$3500 Dr. David & Nancy Bedan Grand Prize (tie) Akropolis Reed Quintet
$3500 Dr. Harry & Lina Berrier Grand Prize (tie) Aeolus String Quartet
$2000 Dr. Larry & Georgia Morehouse First Prize in Brass, Winds & Percussion West Circle Saxophone
$500 Dr. Edward & Judith Chmielewski Honorable Mention Axiom Brass, Noble Piano Trio
Hugo Vianello Audience Prize Noble Piano Trio
Judges Special Recognition Beaubliss String Quartet
2010 Laureates
$5000 Dr. David & Nancy Bedan Grand Prize Nexus String Quartet
$2000 Dr. Larry & Georgia Morehouse First Prize in Brass, Winds & Percussion Red Line Saxophone Quartet
$2000 Dr. Harry & Lina Berrier First Prize in String Amphion String Quartet*
$500 Dr. Edward & Judith Chmielewski Honorable Mentions Arabesque Winds, Axiom Brass
Hugo Vianello Audience Prize Amphion String Quartet
Judges Special Recognition Aeolus String Quartet, Mad Town Low Down (Tuba Quartet)
* Congratulations to Amphion Quartet, the newly appointed ensemble to the Chamber Music Society Two of Lincoln Center! Read all about them here: http://music.yale.edu/news/?p=6400
2009 - NO COMPETITION.
2008 Laureates
$5000 Dr. David & Nancy Bedan Grand Prize Jasper String Quartet
$2000 Dr. Larry & Georgia Morehouse First Prize in Brass, Winds & Percussion Halcyon Saxophone Quartet
$2000 Dr. Harry & Lina Berrier First Prize in Strings Atria Ensemble
$500 Missouri Symphony Society Honorable Mentions The H2 Quartet, Tasman String Quartet
Audience Prize Jasper String Quartet
Judges Special Recognition Red Line Saxophone Quartet, Iannis Quartet, Enhake
2007 Laureates
$5000 Dr. David & Nancy Bedan Grand Prize Alianza String Quartet
$2000 Dr. Larry & Georgia Morehouse First prize in Brass, Winds & Percussion Arundo Winds
$2000 Dr. Harry & Lina Berrier First Prize in Strings The New Trio
$500 Missouri Symphony Society Honorable Mentions The Attacca Quartet, Amethyst Quartet
Audience Prize The New Trio
Judges Special Recognition Trio con spirito
2006 Laureates
First Place The Manhattan Piano Trio
Second Place The New Trio
Third Place Azmari String Quartet
Honorable Mentions Vinca Quartet, Wo-men Quartet
$5000 Grand Prize & the Odyssey Award* (+$2000) Vinola Trio
$2500 Georgia Morehouse, in memory of Larry Morehouse First Prize in Winds, Brass & Percussion Zed
$2500 Missouri Symphony, in memory of Hugo Vianello First Prize in Piano & Strings Setas Trio
$1000 Stephen and Joan Mudrick Honorable Mention Cerus Quartet
$1000 Stephen and Joan Mudrick Honorable Mention 4116
$500 The Vianello Family Audience Prize Zed
Judges Special Recognition Vantage Trio
Odyssey Music @ Lenoir Woods Setas Trio
Odyssey Music @ Columbia Public Schools Cerus Quartet, Lighthouse Quartet, Seville String Quartet, Vinola Trio
* Odyssey Award is offered to one of the top five available laureates to perform in Odyssey Chamber Music Series' Season 22 at an agreed time. If the Grand Prize winner is not able, other laureates from this season will be contacted with a performance opportunity in Odyssey Chamber Music Series. $2000 Honorarium is given at the time of the Season 22 concert, and accommodation for the ensemble is offered.
2023 Awards
$5000 Grand Prize and Odyssey Award* ($2000) Trio Menil (piano trio)
$2000 Georgia Morehouse, in memory of Larry Morehouse First Prize in Winds, Brass & Percussion Kodachrome Quartet
$2000 Missouri Symphony, in memory of Hugo Vianello First Prize in Piano & Strings Zelter String Quartet
$500 Stephen and Joan Mudrick Honorable Mention Estella Quartet (strings)
$500 Stephen and Joan Mudrick Honorable Mention Amo Brass (brass quintet)
$500 The Vianello Family Audience Prize Kodachrome Quartet (saxophone)
Judges Special Recognition Onda Sonora, Rasa String Quartet
Odyssey Music @ Lenoir Woods Eunoia String Quartet
Odyssey Music @ Columbia Public Schools Eunoia String Quartet, Kodachrome Quartet
*Odyssey Award is offered to one of the top five available laureates to perform in Odyssey Chamber Music Series' Season 20 at an agreed time. If the Grand Prize winner is not able, other laureates from this season will be contacted with a performance opportunity in Odyssey Chamber Music Series. $2000 Honorarium is given at the time of the Season 20 concert, and accommodation for the ensemble is offered.
2021 - NO COMPETITION.
2019 Awards
$5000 Dr. Edward and Judith Chmielewski Grand Prize and Odyssey Award* ($2000) Soma Quartet (saxophone)
$2000 Georgia Morehouse, in the memory of Dr. Larry Morehouse First Prize in Winds, Brass & Percussion
Colere Quartet (saxophone)
$2000 Missouri Symphony, in memory of Hugo Vianello First Prize in Piano & Strings Dior Quartet (string)
$500 Honorable Mention in the memory of Harry and Lina Berrier Trio Gaia (piano trio)
$500 Honorable Mention Vanguard Reed Quintet
$250 The Vianello Family Audience Prize Trio Gaia (piano trio)
Judges Special Recognition Abeo Quartet
Odyssey Music @ Lenoir Woods Soom Quintet (woodwind)
Odyssey Music @ The Village of Bedford Walk Dior Quartet (string)
2017 Awards
$5000 Dr. Edward and Judith Chmielewski Grand Prize Vera Quartet
$2000 Georgia Morehouse, in the memory of Dr. Larry Morehouse First Prize in Winds, Brass & Percussion
Ivani String Quartet
$2000 Anonymous Donor, In the memory of James U. Weaver First Prize in Piano & Strings
Fuego Saxophone Quartet
$500 Honorable Mention The North Trio (sax/sax/pn)
$500 Honorable Mention Stellio Trio (pn trio)
$200 Hugo Vianello Audience Prize Ivani String Quartet
Judges Special Recognition Koro String Quatet, Merz Piano Trio
Odyssey Music @ Lenoir Woods Ivani String Quartet
Odyssey Music @ The Village of Bedford Walk Vera Quartet
2015 Awards
$5000 Dr. David & Nancy Bedan Grand Prize Cardinal Winds (piano and ww quintet)
$2000 Dr. Edward and Judith Chmielewski First Prize in Piano & Strings Quartet Tito (string quartet)
$2000 Georgia Morehouse in the memory of Dr. Larry Morehouse First Prize in Winds, Brass & Percussion
The Kyodai Brass
$500 First Baptist Church of Columbia Honorable Mention Pavo Quartet (string quartet)
$500 Odyssey Chamber Music Series Honorable Mention QuinTexas (ww quintet)
$200 Hugo Vianello Audience Prize Quartet Tito (sting quartet)
Judges Special Recognition Stellio Trio (piano trio) and Hathor Winds (ww quintet)
Odyssey Music @ Lenoir Woods Deciduous Trio (fl-hp-va)
2013 Awards
$5000 Dr. David & Nancy Bedan Grand Prize Project Fusion (saxophone quartet)
$2000 Odyssey Chamber Music Series in the memory of Dr. Harry Berrier First Prize in Piano & Strings
Altius Quartet (string quartet)
$2000 Georgia Morehouse in the memory of Dr. Larry Morehouse First Prize in Winds, Brass & Percussion
Kenari Quartet (saxophone quartet)
$500 Dr. Edward and Judith Chmielewski Honorable Mention Orava String Quartet
$500 Anonymous Donor in Honor of Odyssey Musicians Nautilus Brass Quintet
Hugo Vianello Audience Prize Project Fusion (saxophone quartet)
Judges Special Recognition Trio Artica (pn trio), The Fawn Trio (pn-fl-cl), Khrysos Saxophone Quartet
2012 - NO COMPETITION.
2011* Laureates
* 2011 Plowman Chamber Music Competition was dedicated to Dr. Larry Morehouse.
$3500 Dr. David & Nancy Bedan Grand Prize (tie) Akropolis Reed Quintet
$3500 Dr. Harry & Lina Berrier Grand Prize (tie) Aeolus String Quartet
$2000 Dr. Larry & Georgia Morehouse First Prize in Brass, Winds & Percussion West Circle Saxophone
$500 Dr. Edward & Judith Chmielewski Honorable Mention Axiom Brass, Noble Piano Trio
Hugo Vianello Audience Prize Noble Piano Trio
Judges Special Recognition Beaubliss String Quartet
2010 Laureates
$5000 Dr. David & Nancy Bedan Grand Prize Nexus String Quartet
$2000 Dr. Larry & Georgia Morehouse First Prize in Brass, Winds & Percussion Red Line Saxophone Quartet
$2000 Dr. Harry & Lina Berrier First Prize in String Amphion String Quartet*
$500 Dr. Edward & Judith Chmielewski Honorable Mentions Arabesque Winds, Axiom Brass
Hugo Vianello Audience Prize Amphion String Quartet
Judges Special Recognition Aeolus String Quartet, Mad Town Low Down (Tuba Quartet)
* Congratulations to Amphion Quartet, the newly appointed ensemble to the Chamber Music Society Two of Lincoln Center! Read all about them here: http://music.yale.edu/news/?p=6400
2009 - NO COMPETITION.
2008 Laureates
$5000 Dr. David & Nancy Bedan Grand Prize Jasper String Quartet
$2000 Dr. Larry & Georgia Morehouse First Prize in Brass, Winds & Percussion Halcyon Saxophone Quartet
$2000 Dr. Harry & Lina Berrier First Prize in Strings Atria Ensemble
$500 Missouri Symphony Society Honorable Mentions The H2 Quartet, Tasman String Quartet
Audience Prize Jasper String Quartet
Judges Special Recognition Red Line Saxophone Quartet, Iannis Quartet, Enhake
2007 Laureates
$5000 Dr. David & Nancy Bedan Grand Prize Alianza String Quartet
$2000 Dr. Larry & Georgia Morehouse First prize in Brass, Winds & Percussion Arundo Winds
$2000 Dr. Harry & Lina Berrier First Prize in Strings The New Trio
$500 Missouri Symphony Society Honorable Mentions The Attacca Quartet, Amethyst Quartet
Audience Prize The New Trio
Judges Special Recognition Trio con spirito
2006 Laureates
First Place The Manhattan Piano Trio
Second Place The New Trio
Third Place Azmari String Quartet
Honorable Mentions Vinca Quartet, Wo-men Quartet