CFAS logo: click to return to homepage (Chinese Fine Arts Society, Chicago)
Chinese language: Chinese Fine Arts Society, Chicago

Chamber Music Division

Register for the 2024 MFHC Chamber Competition here 

Eligibility: Non-professional chamber ensembles of any instrument combination, ages 25 and younger (duos acceptable). All ensemble members must meet the age requirement.

Please note: Age eligibility for all divisions is determined by the contestant’s age as of September 28, the birthday of Confucius.

Age categories, performance times, and scholarship amounts

Category Age Performance Times Prize
Pre-college Ages 18 and under Complete work or movement  $400
Grand Prize: The Virginia Geyser Behrendt Scholarship Ages 25 and under Complete work or movement $1,000

About the Virginia Geyser Behrendt Scholarship
The Grand Prize commemorates the life of Mrs. Virginia Behrendt and is generously sponsored by the Virginia Geyser Behrendt Foundation.

Repertoire requirements: 1 piece, collection of pieces, or movement of a work composed by a composer of the Chinese diaspora. Selections may be traditional or contemporary, no more than 10 minutes in length. Arrangements and transcriptions allowed, so long as the original work is by an ethnically Chinese composer.

Applicants 18 years of age and younger will be considered for both the Virginia Geyser Behrendt Scholarship and Pre-college Scholarship, and can be awarded both should the judges decide to do so.

Memorization is not required.

Suggested repertoire
If you are not familiar with Chinese music or Chinese-American composers, below are some suggestions to help you get started.

String Quartet

Saxophone Quartet

Brass Quintet

Piano Trio

Piano, Clarinet, Violin

Feel free to contact the CFAS Office for more suggestions!