DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac Area History Museum will host some of the top chamber music performers in the world at a Dogwood Fine Arts Festival event later this month.

For its 2019 lineup, the Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival will bring back the Fischoff Music Soiree, a popular event from last year’s festival. The event will feature a performance by a quarterfinalist ensemble of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at the Dowagiac Area History Museum, 201 E. Division St., Dowagiac.

A question and answer session with the musicians will follow the performance. Light refreshments will also be served. Tickets are $20 and limited. Tickets can be purchased by visiting dogwoodfinearts.org or by calling (269) 782-1115.

Founded in 1973 in South Bend, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition is the largest and one of the most prestigious chamber music competition in the world. The 2019 Fischoff Competition is scheduled for May 10 to 12 at Notre Dame University.

Jim Benedix, chair of the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival, said the soiree was beneficial for all parties involved as it allows Fischoff to promote the music of the competition, gives the performers a chance to practice and allows the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival to bring top talent to Dowagiac.

Last year was the first time the Dogwood Festival had hosted Fischoff Soirees by inviting two quarterfinalist groups to perform. Benedix said he wanted to bring back the event for the 2019 festival as the soiree was well received and high quality.

“This is world-class talent,” Benedix said. “We are getting the best of the best when we bring these ensembles into town. … You are not going to hear anything better any place.”

The soiree is limited to roughly 30 seats, which Benedix said gives the event a more personal, small group feel.

At the moment, Benedix does not know the group that will be playing in the event. However, no matter what quarter finalist ends up playing at the May 9 event, he said he knows that it will be worth a listen. He added that he would encourage anyone to attend the soiree, even if they do not typically listen to chamber music.

“We like to have a unique blend of talents and styles,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for local people and visitors to experience something new, and it’s rare to get this type of top-notch talent in a town like Dowagiac.”