Chesapeake Music brings renowned musicians to delight, engage, and surprise today's audiences and educate, inspire, and develop tomorrow's.

Live Final Round Weekend: April 10–12, 2026
at The Ebenezer Theater in Easton, Maryland

Application Period: September 1 – December 15, 2025

2026 Competition Overview

The Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition is pleased to announce this year’s finalists:

Brompton Quartet

Candide Quartet

Dolphins Quartet

Synchrony Quartet

Trio Animoso

Each ensemble will travel to Easton, MD, to compete in a Live Final Round at The Ebenezer Theater at Prager Family Center for the Arts on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • Lerman Gold Prize | $10,000 plus paid performance at the 41st Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival in June 2026
  • Silver Prize | $5,000
  • Awards to remaining Finalists | $1,000 per ensemble
  • Audience Choice Prize | $1,000

The Live Final Round is an all-day ticketed event, $25 general admission with a limited number of free tickets available to students and educators. The event will begin at 11 a.m. and each ensemble will perform for 45 minutes. There will be three performances before a break running from approximately 2–3 p.m., followed by the remaining two performances. Remarks, awards, and a reception will follow, concluding at approximately 6 p.m.

On Sunday, April 12, 2026, each ensemble will travel to a different venue — one in Easton, St. Michaels, Oxford, Cambridge, and Centreville — to present a free solo concert for the community.

Further details and ticketing information for all events taking place during the Live Final Round Weekend on April 11 and 12 will be made available on March 1.