The following competitions are held at the School for currently enrolled Manhattan School of Music students in the College Division.  Students and alumni seeking information about regional, national, and international competitions sponsored by other organizations should visit the Center for Music Entrepreneurship. 

Concerto Competition

The Eisenberg-Fried Concerto Competition is open to classical musicians and singers.  Auditions are held separately each spring for strings, piano, woodwinds and voice.  The brass department alternates auditions annually with the percussion, guitar, and harp departments.  Winners of the competitors are offered a public performance with orchestra in the subsequent academic year. The piano department has two annual competitions: the Eisenberg-Fried with open repertoire and the Zaslavsky-Koch Competition which features specific repertoire that changes each year.

Most classical students are eligible to compete, provided that the major teacher has given prior written approval. Application forms are available in January at the Office of Chamber Music and Ensembles, Room 201. Completed forms are submitted to the appropriate department chair in February.

Artur Balsam Competition for Duos

Manhattan School of Music honors the memory of the great pianist and its former faculty member, Artur Balsam, by establishing the Artur Balsam Competition for Duos. Mr. Balsam was an active member of the Manhattan School of Music piano and chamber music faculties from 1965 – 1993. In addition to establishing a venue to memorialize Mr. Balsam, the competition acknowledges those young artists who are striving for the highest musical and ensemble standards as exemplified by the artist himself. It should be noted that the purpose of this competition is educationally based. The prizes will serve to honor these winners, however, the motivation of the process is to build an ongoing higher musical and performance standard as well as a unique recognition of the duo as a significant chamber music medium.

The Balsam Competition is held on alternate years, the next taking place in March 2013.

Lillian Fuchs Memorial Chamber Music Series

Toward the end of each semester, the manager of chamber music and ensembles holds auditions for the Lillian Fuchs Memorial Chamber Music Concert. Coaches recommend groups who audition for this prestigious public event, the showcase of the winter and spring Chamber Music Festivals.