Quartets applying from New York to Hong Kong​

 

SAINT PAUL, MN — February 27, 2026 

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The 2026 Saint Paul String Quartet Competition is shaping up to be one of our most vibrant and internationally connected events to date. Applications have arrived from across the United States and around the globe — from New York to Hong Kong — representing leading conservatories, emerging professional ensembles, and an inspiring new generation of collaborative artistry.

 

In the coming weeks, an esteemed panel of distinguished quartet professionals will carefully review submissions and select the finalists who will travel to Saint Paul this April. Their choices will showcase ensembles distinguished not only by technical excellence, but also by imagination, communication, and a shared passion for chamber music at the highest level.

 

We are especially honored this year to welcome members of the celebrated Miró and Ying Quartets as guest listeners and artistic mentors during the final rounds. Their presence promises to enrich the experience for competitors and audiences alike, offering insight from artists who have helped shape the modern string quartet landscape.

 

Join us on April 11 for the Senior Division Finals, where audiences will experience the Recital Round alongside a powerful performance of Pisachi, the compelling compulsory work by Chickasaw Nation composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate. These performances promise both virtuosity and storytelling, highlighting the expressive breadth of today’s quartet repertoire.

 

On April 18, the spotlight turns to the High School Division, as the nation’s top young quartets take the stage for their Haydn Round, Romantic-Nationalist and Modern rounds. In between those two rounds they will perform Caroline Shaw’s luminous Blueprint — a work celebrated for its elegance, clarity, and imaginative spirit.

 

Both events invite audiences to become part of the excitement. Listeners will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite ensembles, helping to recognize artistry that resonates most deeply in the hall.

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We invite the Saint Paul community and chamber music lovers everywhere to join us — in person or from afar — to celebrate discovery, excellence, and the enduring power of music shared together.​  

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