The Chesapeake International Chamber Music Competition has selected five finalist ensembles for its 12th biennial contest. Led by Artistic Directors Marcy Rosen and Catherine Cho, the Final Round will take place on April 11, 2026, and will be streamed live on The Violin Channel.
The five finalists are:
- Brompton Quartet
- Candide Quartet
- Dolphins Quartet
- Synchrony Quartet
- Trio Animoso
Each ensemble will travel to Easton, Maryland, to perform in the public Final Round at The Ebenezer Theater at Prager Family Center. The judging panel for the all-day event will be Catherine Cho, Robert McDonald, and Peggy Pearson.
Prizes for the competition include the Lerman Gold Prize ($10,000 plus an engagement at the 41st Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival in June 2026), the Moran Silver Prize ($5,000), $1,000 awards to the remaining finalists, and a $1,000 Audience Choice Prize.
All finalists will receive critique from the distinguished judges under the artistic leadership of Marcy Rosen and Catherine Cho. In addition, competitors will take part in a Community Concert Series on April 12, 2026, presenting 60-minute programs for nearby Mid-Shore audiences at venues arranged by
Chesapeake Music. The series is sponsored in part by Talbot Arts and The Van Strum Foundation.
“This competition offers an important platform for emerging ensembles at pivotal moments in their careers,” said Executive Director David Faleris.
Ensemble profiles:
Brompton Quartet: An American-Canadian string quartet formed in August 2025 at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. The group works with Professors Norman Fischer, Valentin Radutiu, and James Dunham. Members are Anne-Marie Wnek (violin), Madeleine Zarry (violin), Søren Lorentzen (viola), and Evan Nicholson (cello).
Candide Quartet: Now in their third year, this string quartet focuses on the close-knit collaboration and wide-ranging repertoire of the genre. Its members are Henry Rogers (violin), Chili Ekman (violin), Amelia Krinke (viola), and Vanny Hu (cello).
Dolphins Quartet: A Juilliard-trained string quartet and composer collective based in New York City, dedicated to bold, contemporary chamber music. The ensemble includes Luke Henderson (violin), Isaac Park (violin), James Preucil (viola), and Ian Maloney (cello).
Synchrony Quartet: A Chicago-based saxophone quartet committed to contemporary repertoire and collaborative projects with composers and communities. Members are Philip Kleutgens (soprano saxophone), Hudson O’Reilly (alto saxophone), Matthew Johnson (tenor saxophone), and Haven Kahn (baritone saxophone).
Trio Animoso: Named for the Spanish word animoso, meaning “spirited,” this trio blends distinctive artistic personalities. Its lineup features Sophia Jean (flute), Subin Lee (harp), and Julian Seney (viola).
