2023 Entries Now Open

What is MICMC?

Established in 1991 and held every four years, the prestigious competition is the perfect launching pad for chamber music ensembles. With a prize pool of over $150,000, and a Grand Prize worth $30,000, MICMC is open to string quartets and piano trios of all nationalities under the age of 35. Find out more about out prize pool here.

Produced by Musica Viva Australia, MICMC seeks to identify and cultivate the next generation of chamber music ensembles. The competition welcomes applicants who embody chamber music’s ability to engage both mind and heart with performances that delight, inspire and challenge. MICMC ensembles ensure a vibrant future for chamber music, demonstrating and redefining the inimitable relationship between players, audiences, and composers for the 21st century.

To accommodate the postponement in 2022, Musica Viva Australia will be extending the age of entrants to under 36 years rather than the previously stated 35 years.

MICMC is presented in partnership with the Melbourne Recital Centre and the Australian National Academy of Music.

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Key Dates

2022 – Entries, preliminary round

June 8, 2022 – entries open
September 30, 2022 – entries close
Week of October 31, 2022 – announcement of Preliminary Round results (8 piano trios and 8 string quartets competing live in Melbourne, July 2023)

2023 – Live Finals

June 29-30: Schools Program, Monash University
July 2-6: Rounds 1+2
July 7: Semi-Finals
July 9: Grand Finals, Melbourne Recital Centre

Should you have any concerns or questions please do contact our MICMC team micmc@musicaviva.com.au

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Prizes

There is $150,000 worth of prize money up for grabs at the 2023 Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition. Learn all about the prizes.

Repertoire

Participating string quartets and piano trios need to submit three videos (one per work) recorded after 1 January, 2022. Each video must be of professional quality, shot by a single stationary camera in real time, and must not be edited or altered in any way.

Rules and Regulations

Learn all about how to enter the competition and the various rules regarding the different stages of the competition.

Artistic Director

Learn more about Musica Viva’s Artistic Director of Competitions, Wilma Smith.

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Past Winners

Learn all about the winners' previous MICMC iterations. From 1991's Gould Piano Trio right up to 2018's Trio Marvin and every winner in between.

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Partners

Presenting an event of the size and scale of MICMC is only possible with the support of partners. Musica Viva produce the event with strategic support from the Australian National Academy of Music and the Melbourne Recital Centre.

The Competition is the recipient of a major grant from Creative Victoria and receives additional support from the Robert Salzer Foundation, Marjorie Nicholas OAM, the Morawetz Family and the late Tom Bruce AM & Beth Brown.