Coltman Chamber Music Competition

Welcome to the 9th Annual Coltman Competition!

Named after Austin Chamber Music Center founder, Felicity Coltman, the Coltman Chamber Music Competition provides performance experience and expert commentary to advanced chamber ensembles along with cash prizes and performance opportunities.

The 9th Annual Coltman Competition will be held in-person at The University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music on March 26 & 27, 2022. Competition staff reserve the right to cancel or amend any or all of the 2022 competition.

COVID-19 Precautions: Competition staff urges all ensembles to abide by local and state health and safety guidelines. Our first priority is ensemble and community safety. We are closely monitoring the pandemic and its impact on in-person events. The competition will be following all City of Austin, CDC, and/or venue guidelines.

Important Dates

Eligibility Requirements & Regulations

Senior Division
2022 Senior Division Categories Eligibility and Regulations.pdf
Ensemble members must be an average age of 18 to 30 on 3/26/22

Junior Division
2022 Junior Division Categories Eligibility and Regulations.pdf
Ensemble members must be an average age of 18 or under on 3/26/22 — However, if any member(s) of the ensemble are in college then the ensemble should submit a Senior Division application

Frequently Asked Questions

Coltman FAQs Page After looking through the Eligibility Requirements and Regulations, if your ensemble has a question, please visit the Coltman FAQs page before emailing competition staff.

Ensemble Prizes

Ensemble Prizes Winning ensembles will receive cash prizes, performance opportunities, and prestigious recognition.

Start an Ensemble Application

Online Application Ensembles can start an online application beginning Wednesday, January 12!

2022 Live Semi-Final and Final Round Judges

Gregory Allen, piano, The University of Texas at Austin
Norman Fischer, cello, Rice University
Michael Garasi, instrumental, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Marisa Ishikawa, violin, Carpe Diem String Quartet
Jeanne Kierman Fischer, piano, Rice University
Franz Krager, orchestral conductor, University of Houston
Stephen Page, saxophone, The University of Texas at Austin
Ebonee Thomas, flute, The Dallas Opera
Read Bios

Volunteering March 25, 26 & 27

In order for the competition to run smoothly, volunteers are needed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you’re interested in volunteering opportunities please contact us at coltman@austinchambermusic.org for more information.

Some of the duties will include: Contestant check-in at the registration desk, monitoring warm-up rooms, assisting judges, escorting contestants to and from performance areas, helping with awards ceremony, greeting and welcoming contestants as they enter the competition spaces, set and tear down, etc.

Attending The Competition

Hear extraordinary music performed by musicians who will knock your socks off! Saturday, March 26 will feature remarkable musicians from around the country in the live semi-final rounds. Ensembles may include brass quintets, string quartets, piano trios, percussion ensembles and other ensembles mixed with winds, strings, harp, classical guitar, and piano. The final rounds will take place on Sunday, March 27. The competition takes place in the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music and admission is free! A schedule of events will be available as the competition draws near.

Competition Archives

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