The HCMF Youth Chamber Music Competition is a chance for advanced student chamber music ensembles to perform in a competitive setting and receive adjudication and prizes.
At least one member of the ensemble must be a resident of Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, or Island county. Student ensembles, comprised of 2-6 players of strings, winds, brass and piano in any combination, must submit a recording for the preliminary round – deadline: April 20th.
Select ensembles will be invited to perform at the live competition on May 2nd (10am-2pm). Prizes and merit awards will be given to the top participants and all ensembles will receive adjudication for their performance. The competition finalists will be showcased in a culminating performance on May 2nd at 5pm in Whatcom Community College’s Heiner Theatre.
Jump to: How to Apply | Who Can Apply
When & Where
May 2nd
Heiner Theatre, Whatcom Community College
10am-2pm: Live Competition
5:00pm: Finalists Performance
How to Apply
Deadline: April 20th, 2026
- Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. See “Who can apply”, below.
- Prepare a 5-7 minute audio or video recording of a composition from the traditional chamber music repertoire.
- Ensembles who participated at the Regional SJMEA Solo and Ensemble event can submit a partial recording from this performance.
- Complete the application by the deadline
- Applying is free.
Prizes and Awards
- Top Prize $1000
Who Can Apply
- Any student ensemble from Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, or Island counties.
- At least one member from the ensemble needs to be a resident of one of these counties.
- Ages 11-18 (*younger qualified students may be admitted to the program).
- If accepted to the live round there is a $60 group registration fee.
Accepted Ensembles
- If your group is accepted to perform in the Youth Chamber Music Competition live round you will receive:
- a letter of acceptance to the live round by April 25th
- a link to pay the $60 group registration fee
- your performance time for Saturday, May 2nd
- Registration deadline for accepted applicants: April 27th
- Applicants must play the same literature that they submitted in the preliminary round recording.
- Ensembles have between 10-12 minutes to present on May 2nd in the competition.
- Applicants must present two original copies of the musical scores that have all articulations and dynamics marked in the score reflecting what is in their parts.
- Winners of the HCMF competition will be featured in a concert on Saturday, May 2nd at 5:00 pm at WCC Heiner Theatre.
Support HCMF!
If you’re able, please consider donating to the Harmony Chamber Music Festival so we can continue to offset tuition costs to families.
Questions
Have a look at the most frequent questions about the festival.
BCMS THANKS OUR HARMONY MUSIC FESTIVAL SPONSORS
