Barbara Wagner Chamber Music Competition

Ensembles of 3-8 members are eligible to apply. Each member must be enrolled in MSU College of Music through Spring 2027. Each member of the ensemble needs a signature of approval from their applied faculty professor (UG, MM, or PD students) or DMA committee chair (DMA students). Students may only participate in one ensemble per year.

First prize winning groups may not enter again. Second and third prize winning groups may not enter in consecutive years. Individual members of prizewinning groups may enter with a new group if this group has only one previous prizewinner.

Competition winners agree to perform the commissioned work on the MSU Chamber Showcase in Fall 2027, as well as other possible performances. It is the ensemble’s responsibility to fulfill these commitments or find a suitable replacement.

All ensemble combinations are invited to apply; only one ensemble per entrant. All members of the ensemble must play in all submitted repertoire.

Applications must include a video recording of 15-25 minutes of music of contrasting styles that represents a diverse and engaging concert program. Variety in repertoire is essential. Video submission must include at least one complete movement and should include more than one composer. Groups that advance to the final round will be required to submit a 30-40 minute written program of repertoire. This program must include the prelim round repertoire.

Sunday, December 14, 2026: Application, recording, group bio, and applied faculty permission form must be submitted by this date.

Videos will be evaluated by external judges, who will select up to 6 groups by late January 2027 to advance to the final round.

Finalist groups will perform April 11, 2027 at 1 PM. The concert will be at Cook Recital Hall and may be livestreamed. Groups will choose their first movement or piece, and judges will choose the rest of the selections from the submitted final round program. First, second, and third place winners will be selected.

Complete the student group application, plus a faculty signature form for EACH member of the group. 

Each ensemble must provide a total of three sets of printed scores of the competition repertoire in the final round. All ensembles must abide by federal copyright law.

No musician can be a member of more than one ensemble in the competition. No changes in personnel or prelim round repertoire will be allowed once the application is received.