Ten Brilliant Young Quartets. Two Weekends. One Extraordinary Competition
A FABULOUS experience!
-- Annie Fullard, Cavani String Quartet
Naumburg Chamber Music Award winner and Director of Chamber Music at the Peabody Institute.
We loved being able to take part in something so special and uplifting to student musicians.
-- SPSQC prizewinner
2026 FINALISTS SELECTED
SAINT PAUL, MN — April 02, 2026
Ten excellent next generation string quartets will arrive in Saint Paul this April for two exciting weekends of competition and performance. Pre-professional ensembles will compete on Saturday, April 11, followed by the High School Division on Saturday, April 18.
Senior Division Finalists — April 11
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Karuna Quartet
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Prometheus Quartet
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Soha Quartet
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Velaris String Quartet
Junior Division Finalists — April 18
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Amare Quartet
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Blair Quartet
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Huxsoll Quartet
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Orenda Quartet
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Quartet Selene
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Tikaani Quartet
Audience Participation
Both events invite audiences to take part in the excitement. Listeners will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite ensembles, helping to recognize the artistry that resonates most powerfully in the hall.
We warmly invite the Saint Paul community — and chamber music lovers everywhere — to join us, in person or from afar, as we celebrate discovery, excellence, and the enduring power of music shared together.
Our quartet won Gold & Grand prizes and the Lift Every Voice prize at the Fischoff!!! A huge, huge, thank you to you and all the other organizers of the Saint Paul String Quartet Competition. Without our experience in St. Paul, we absolutely couldn't have done this. We really appreciate all that you have done!!"
-- 2023 SPSQC Gold Medalist Poiesis Quartet
-- 2025 Winner Banff International String Quartet Competition
I love SPSQC...it is truly a gem in our community... always amazing young string quartets
-- Laura Sewell. Cellist of the Lark Quartet & Artaria String Quartet. Bronze medal winner at the Banff International String Quartet Competition
2026 SENIOR FINALISTS
Meet the talented finalists of the SPSQC Senior Division, each bringing unique artistry and passion to their performances.
Soha Quartet
Velaris Quartet
Karuna Quartet
Prometheus Quartet
2026 JUNIOR FINALISTS
Meet the talented finalists of the SPSQC Junior Division, each bringing unique artistry and passion to their performances.
Blair Quartet
Huxsoll Quartet
Quartet Selene
Amare String Quartet
Tikaani Quartet
Orenda Quartet
2026 SPSQC Final Round Jurists
Miro Quartet
The renowned Miro Quartet will adjudicate the SPSQC Senior Division on Sat. April 11 in Sundin Music Hall on the campus of Hamline University.
Miro Performance
for the Schubert Club
Ying Quartet
The Grammy-Award winning Ying Quartet will adjudicate the SPSQC Junior Division on Sat. April 18 in Sundin Music Hall on the campus of Hamline University.
They will also present a masterclass for the Artaria Chamber Music School on Friday 4/17 at 6pm.
Masterclass location
2026 EMCEES
Steve Staruch
Steve Seel
Senior Division - April 11, 2026
Junior Division - April 18, 2026
