Musica Viva has announced the return of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition (MICMC) in 2022. The competition is open to chamber groups made up of musicians under the age of 35. Held every four years, the competition has drawn quite a number of international competitors since it was established in 1991. The competition has two categories, one for string quartets and one for piano trios, with specific prizes for each category, as well as the overall Grand Prize supported by Monash University.

Callisto Quartet performing in the Grand Final of the 2018 Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition. Photo © Mike Keating

“I love being involved with MICMC because I remember how exciting it was to take part in similar international competitions when I was in a budding professional string quartet,” said Musica Viva Artistic Director of Competitions, Wilma Smith. “I know how much my quartet benefitted from the intensive work required to prepare for a competition and how wonderful it was to meet our peers from around the world, in some cases, striking up life-long friendships. Giving young professional groups the chance to kick-start...