WHAT:
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) opens the application period for its 2027-2030 Bowers Program, a rigorous three-season residency dedicated to developing the chamber music leaders of the future. The program provides an unparalleled experience for artists, fully integrating them into every facet of CMS activities in New York and on tour, nationally and internationally, alongside established CMS artists; program participants also appear as part of CMS education and community engagement programs. In addition, Bowers Artists benefit from the exposure they receive as part of CMS’s extensive digital program, including national radio and television programming and streaming of CMS concerts. For decades this program has been the springboard for hundreds of the most important chamber musicians on the international stage.

The Bowers Program identifies and supports a select number of individuals and ensembles chosen from an international pool of candidates through highly competitive auditions. The Bowers Program jury, composed of CMS artists and distinguished artistic administrators, is headed by CMS Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han, who personally oversee the CMS activities of all Bowers artists for the duration of their residencies.

WHEN:
Application period opens today, June 2, 2025
Deadline for applications is September 26, 2025 (5:00 PM ET). 

WHERE:
ChamberMusicSociety.org/Bowers
Application Guidelines for Individuals
Application Guidelines for Ensembles

BACKGROUND:
The Bowers Program (formerly CMS Two) is a prestigious, highly competitive residency that has supported and nurtured the next generation of outstanding young musicians since 1994. Over the course of its history, 101 individual artists and 11 ensembles have completed the program, many of whom have gone on to become the world’s leading classical musicians, including Hilary Hahn, Inon Barnatan, Juho Pohjonen, Jonathan Biss, Frank Huang, Arnaud Sussman, Timothy Ridout, David Requiro, Alisa Weilerstein, Bridget Kibbey, Tara Helen O’Connor, Anthony McGill, Ian David Rosenbaum and the Miró, Escher, Calidore, and Danish String Quartets, among many others. A complete list of Bowers/CMS Two alumni can be found here.