Joseph E. Fischoff and the South Bend Chamber Music Society founded the
Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition in 1973 as a way of encouraging young people to pursue
chamber music study and performance. The
Fischoff Competition has grown from 6 ensembles in 1973 to 59 ensembles in both wind and string categories as of 2024. In the competition, an average of 22 different nationalities are represented each year by foreign nationals from
South America,
Asia, and
Europe. The winners of the Senior Division Gold Medals also participate in the Double Gold Tour. == Educational outreach programs ==