Lawrence Chamber Music Festival logo

A forward-looking chamber music festival.

The Lawrence Chamber Music Festival gathers together world-class artist faculty from the Lawrence faculty and from all over the world. 40+ young artists ages 18-30 work with LCMF faculty to present chamber music performances at diverse venues, including the prestigious Mile of Music Festival, where they collaborate with singer-songwriters to create original arrangements of new songs.

Save the date for the 2026 Lawrence Summer Music Institute: July 18-August 2, 2026.

About the Festival

Lawrence University is pleased to announce the 2026 Lawrence Chamber Music Festival, held in Appleton, Wisconsin from July 18 – August 2, 2026. Designed for advanced instrumentalists and pre-formed ensembles ages 18+, the festival offers:

  • Daily rehearsals, coachings, lessons, and symposia with world-class faculty
  • Festival performances in a wide variety of venues, including Lawrence University Memorial Chapel, Gibson Music Hall, and the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
  • An opportunity to curate unique performances in collaboration with local singer-songwriters from the Mile of Music Festival
  • Musical growth in an inspirational environment

Applications to participate in the Young Artist program at the 2026 LCMF will be available soon. If you have interest in attending next year's festival as a participant, please follow the link above to submit an interest inquiry form. For questions about applications, fellowships, scholarships, or for any other information please email chambermusicfestival@lawrence.edu.

Sponsors

Support for the Lawrence Chamber Music Festival includes grants from the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Lawrence University, Riverview Gardens, 91.1 The Avenue, Eagle Performance Plastics, Harp Gallery, Wisconsin Public Radio, and Bergstrom Automotive.

Wisconsin Public Radio Logo
Bergstrom logo
Eagle Performance Plastics logo
Community foundation for the Fox Valley region logo
Harp Gallery logo
91.1 The Avenue logo
Riverview Gardens logo

Your generous donation is tax-deductible and helps sustain the Lawrence Chamber Music Festival's unique programming. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please email chambermusicfestival@lawrence.edu.

Applications for the 2025 Young Artist program are now closed. 2026 applications will be available soon. To express interest, submit the inquiry form linked above. For application, fellowship, or scholarship questions, email chambermusicfestival@lawrence.edu.

2025 Festival Faculty Artists

Media from LCMF 2025

Preview image for the video "LCMF: Mile of Music Kickoff - 07.31.25".
Preview image for the video "LCMF: Festival Concert - 07.25.25".
Preview image for the video "LCMF: Young Artist Concert No. 1 - 07.26.25".
Preview image for the video "LCMF: Young Artist Concert No. 2 - 07.27.25".

LCMF: Mile of Music Kickoff - 7/31/2025

LCMF: Festival Concert - 7/25/2025

LCMF: Young Artist Concert No. 1 - 7/26/2025

LCMF: Young Artist Concert No. 2 - 7/27/2025

General Information

Each young artist participant in the Lawrence Chamber Music Festival will work in at least two different chamber groups and have several performance opportunities in traditional concert halls and community venues.

Young artists also work together to curate a concert experience to be presented during the annual Mile of Music Festival. These concerts include a special collaboration with a local singer/songwriter, giving participants new artistic opportunities.

Optional private lessons with Festival faculty are available.

Curriculum

  • A short chamber music repertoire assignment, coached by members of our faculty, and culminating in a performance
  • Private Lesson(s)
  • Symposia – topical discussions that will help you grow your musicianship
  • Skills Development Workshops (arranging, improvising, etc.)

Sample Schedule

7:45 – 8:45 a.m. – Breakfast
9 – 10:50 a.m. – Chamber rehearsal/coaching
11 a.m. – noon – Symposium (all together)
Noon – 1 p.m. – Lunch
1:30 – 3 p.m. – Chamber rehearsal/coaching
3:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Private lessons/individual practice
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Dinner
7 p.m. – Master classes/performances

Application Requirements

Applications are open to instrumentalists from the string, wind, brass, percussion, & piano families, and pre-formed ensembles. There is no application fee.

Audition Material:

  • Submit videos of two contrasting works representing different time periods. Video and audio must be unedited.
  • If a selection is taken from a multi-movement work, applicants need only prepare one movement of the piece. Upload performances to YouTube and submit links in your application. Pre-formed ensemble members wishing to apply for a fellowship must submit one solo video.
  • For composer/performers, in addition to your performance videos, please submit a score and recording of an original composition. MIDI realizations are acceptable.

Answer the following questions in a video:

  1. Describe a memorable musical moment that you have experienced — either as a performer/educator/student or as an audience member. What about that moment was special? How did it influence your musicianship?
  2. Why are you interested in participating in the Lawrence Chamber Music Festival?

Tuition & Financial Aid

No application fee.

2025 tuition is $2,150.
Single Room is $865/Double Room is $630.
Meals are $500.

Purchasing Room/Board is not required for participation. Scholarships and fellowships are available to qualifying students. See below for more information.

A limited number of competitive, fully-funded fellowships are available. To apply for a fellowship, submit a personal statement detailing any information you would like to share about yourself related to what experiences you would bring to and hope to learn from your participation in the Lawrence Chamber Music Festival. Please also submit a letter of recommendation.

Limited need-based scholarships are also available. To apply for a need-based scholarship, submit a letter of need and the first two pages of your most recent tax return with your application materials.

Why attend the Lawrence Chamber Music Festival

LCMF Director and piano faculty member Michael Mizrahi talks about the inaugural year of the festival and what you can expect.

Your generous donation is tax-deductible and helps sustain the Lawrence Chamber Music Festival's unique programming. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please email chambermusicfestival@lawrence.edu.

Applications for the 2025 Young Artist program are now closed. 2026 applications will be available soon. To express interest, submit the inquiry form linked above. For application, fellowship, or scholarship questions, email chambermusicfestival@lawrence.edu.

Lawrence Symphony Orchestra performing in Memorial Chapel

About the Lawrence Conservatory of Music

The Lawrence Conservatory of Music prepares musicians to create a more thoughtful, meaningful, and beautiful world within:

  • a motivated community that cultivates artistry and excellence through rigorous training,
  • a diverse community that fosters intellectual growth through critical inquiry and scholarship
  • a creative community that connects passion for music to social engagement and innovative thinking