2026 Nova Linea Musica Chamber Music Competition
2026 Nova Linea Musica Chamber Music Competition
Held at the Merit School of Music, Chicago, IL
NOVA LINEA MUSICA’s first annual Young Artist Chamber Music Competition will take place at the Merit School of Music in Chicago, IL. The first round will occur virtually via video submission, and up to 12 ensembles will be invited to compete live in Gottlieb Hall for the final round.
Application Timeline
- All application materials, including the performance video, must be submitted by 11:59 pm CST on April 1st, 2026.
- Ensembles accepted into the final round will be notified by April 15, 2026.
- Winning ensembles will be announced on May 18th, 2026, following the final round at the Merit School of Music.
Ensemble Requirements
- Open to musicians under the age of 25 in the Chicagoland area.
- Ensembles may range from trio (3 musicians) to octet (8 musicians).
- Each ensemble must select an ensemble name for use in announcements.
Repertoire Requirements
- Perform one or more movements from a single chamber work written after 1950.
- All selections must come from the same musical work.
- Total performance time must be 5–10 minutes maximum.
- Finalist videos may be featured on NLM’s YouTube channel and in promotional materials.
Submission requirements:
- All materials must be received by 11:59 pm CST on April 1st, 2026.
- Late applications will not be accepted.
- The live finals are open to the public and will be recorded.
Prizes and Recognition:
- First Prize — Nova Linea Musica Award: $2,000
- Second Prize: $1,500
- Third Prize: $1,000
- Honorable Mentions at the judges’ discretion.