Competition J chesapeake music Chesapeake Music’s 9th More than two decades ago, a small group of music lovers devoted to developing young talent gathered in Easton. They began to imagine a competition that would engage young chamber music ensembles with the world-class musicians who participated in the annual Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival. Several years of research and planning led to the launch of the biennial Chesapeake International Chamber Music Competition. And, here we are… celebrating our ninth gathering with fi ve outstanding young ensembles! The path to Easton is a rigorous one. Ensembles from around the world submit audition recordings for review by a distinguished panel of preliminary judges, led this year by Chesapeake Music’s founding artistic director, cellist Marcy Rosen. The young musicians often recognize one or more of these renowned professionals and hope to impress them. In an anonymous review, the judges rate each entry and select the very best to be awarded one of the fi nalist spots. And then it is the Eastern Shore’s time to share this musical extravaganza! During the weekend of April 4-5, the sounds of these young rising stars ring out throughout the region. First there is the Competition International Chamber Music Competition for Young Professionals By Anne Moran itself, an all-day affair beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre. Concerts by the ensembles in venues throughout the region follow on Sunday. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy. At the Competition itself, each ensemble will present a full concert-length performance and benefi t from comments from the panel of three Finalist Judges. This year’s judges include Head Judge J. Lawrie Bloom, Chesapeake Music's other founding artistic director. He is joined by cellist Michael Kannen and pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute. At the conclusion of the fi ve performances, the judges will award three prizes: the Lerman Gold Prize ($10,000), the Silver Prize ($5,000), and the Audience Choice Award ($500), voted on by all those who attend the performances. Artists and audience alike share the joy and excitement of the evening's conclusion. It carries forward to the next day as the ensembles again perform beautiful music, this time in a more relaxed environment. If you have attended one of our earlier Competitions, you'll want to be there. If you haven’t been before, don’t miss the chance to enjoy this one. It promises, as past Competitions have, to bring joy to every one of us. This issue of Interlude is devoted to details of the upcoming Competition, including profi les of the fi nalists and judges and a schedule of the weekend's events.Have a look at what we plan, and join us on April 4 and 5. PRELIMINARY JUDGES Catherine Cho, Violin Adrian Morejon, Bassoon Tara Helen O’Connor, Flute Todd Phillips, Violin Marcy Rosen, Cello Diane Walsh, Piano Merz Trio, Co-winners of the Lerman Gold Prize 2018 Competition 2 Block4, 2016 Competition Winners ChesapeakeMusic.org
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