Mission Chamber Music Competition

Misbin Family Memorial Chamber Music Competition

The Misbin Family Memorial Chamber Music Competition provides an opportunity for aspiring musicians of all ages and instruments to participate in the exciting and collaborative experience of performing as a chamber music ensemble, and to compete with other local ensembles in their age group to win cash prizes and performance opportunities through Washington Performing Arts and Levine Music. The competition is open to student and adult amateur instrumental chamber music ensembles and is judged by a panel of members of the Greater Washington music community chosen by Washington Performing Arts and Levine. Applicants must currently reside or study in DC, Maryland, or Virginia to participate.

The Misbin Competition is co-presented by Washington Performing Arts and Levine Music and made possible through the generous support of Dr. Robert Misbin.

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2024 Competition

The finals are in person at Levine Music’s D.C. Campus (NW) on Sunday, April 28, 2024, between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. A specific performance schedule will be assigned to all finalists.

Applicants may compete in one of three divisions:

  • Junior (average age of ensemble is under 13 years old by March 24, 2024)
  • Senior (average age of ensemble is between 13 and 19 years old by March 24, 2024)
  • Adult amateur (all group members must be 19 years or older and not professional musicians or currently in a music degree program)

Application Fees: All application fees are per group.

  • “Early Bird” Before March 3, 2024
    • Duos – $50 per group
    • Trios/Quartets – $75 per group
  • Quintets, Sextets, Septets, and Octets
    • $100 per group
  • After March 3, 2024
    • Duos – $60 per group
    • Trios/Quartets – $90 per group
    • Quintets, Sextets, Septets, and Octets – $120 per group

Prizes and Awards

First Prize

  • Cash prize of $100 per group member
  • Certificate
  • Invitation to participate in the Play-In with the Pros workshop on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at Levine Music’s DC Campus: NW
  • Potential performance opportunities through Washington Performing Arts and Levine Music as opportunities arise in the year following the competition

Second Prize

  • Certificate
  • Second-prize winners may be considered for possible performance opportunities through Washington Performing Arts and Levine, as well as possible participation in the Play-In workshop

Honorable Mention

  • Certificate

Special Award

  • Misbin Family Memorial Award to the best group with piano (Junior and Senior divisions only): Cash prize of $100 per group member

Sponsors

Special thanks to Jacqueline Badger Mars and Mars, Incorporated; The Edith Glick Shoolman Children’s Foundation; and Dr. Robert Misbin.

Education programs at Washington Performing Arts are made possible in part by the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities; U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs Program; The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Philip L. Graham Fund; Park Foundation, Inc.; Mr. Bruce Rosenblum and Ms. Lori Laitman; Pepco, An Exelon Company; The Boeing Company; Prince Charitable Trusts; Mr. Peter Buscemi and Ms. Judith Miller; Events DC; Sunny and Bill Alsup; Nancy Peery Marriott Foundation; Mary Jo Veverka; Gary and Silvia Yacoubian/SVS; Washington Performing Arts Women’s Committee; Dina Al Sabah and David Alden; The Nora Roberts Foundation; CHIME & Dorothy Marschak; Dimick Foundation; Graham Holdings Company; Mr.+ and Mrs.+ Herbert Milstein/The Greene-Milstein Family Foundation; Peace Love and Joy, in memory of Arman Simone; Venable Foundation; George Wasserman Family Foundation, Inc.; Dr. W. Stephen and Diane E. Piper; Ms. Sara E. Sanders/Sanders Foundation; Dr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Danks; Capitol Hill Community Foundation; and The Charles Delmar Foundation. Gifts as of November 27, 2023.