"Really, I can't envision a more inspiring and well-organized event."
Scott Linder, SPSQC Parent
2020 SPSQC Program Book
SPSQC 2021 Online
Dear string quartets, we are delighted to announce there will be two VIRTUAL competitions this Spring -- Junior and Senior. In this second year of social distancing and isolation chamber music remains an important means of individual and collective expression for young people and those young at heart to gather and discover depth and beauty in life's purpose.
The Junior Category (19 and under) now in its 16th year, will be broadcast live April 24, 2021 on YouTube. As a means to diversify and deepen the chamber music repertoire, each finalist string quartet will present a performance of George Walker's Lyric for Strings. For more details, check out the Rules & Regulations - Junior Category webpage
New to the SPSQC will be a long awaited Senior Category (30 and under). This virtual event for career oriented twenty-somethings will take place on May 1, 2021 on YouTube. For more details, check out the Rules & Regulations - Senior Category webpage.
Please donate to the SPSQC and keep this unique event going strong!
Ray Shows, Founder and Artistic Administrator
SPSQC 2020 Online
Dear chamber music lovers. Year 15 was a great success despite the Covid-19 virus.
With the event moved online for the final rounds, there were over 2400 viewers
to enjoy the great performances of the finalists. The six finalist quartets pre-recorded
videos were adjudicated thoughtfully and thoroughly by the wonderful Catalyst String Quartet
and prizewinners were unanimously selected.
Winning Gold medals, certificates, as well as individual sets of Beethoven
Opp. 59, 74, 96 scores and parts, were the dynamic members of The Rader Quartet from the
Community Music School in St. Louis, Missouri. As last year's silver medalists, experience
claimed victory as the Rader's garnered the top prize of the day as well as the Haydn Prize.
Our Silver medalists were the Helios String Quartet from Dallas, Texas. They received
Silver medals, certificates, and scores/parts to Mozart's 10 Celebrated Quartets. Bronze medals, certificates, and individual scores and parts were awarded to exciting Marquis String Quartet
from Chamber Music Connection in Columbus, Ohio.
This year's Audience Prize went to the Ardente String Quartet from Midwest Young Artists in Chicago.
They received 439 of the 1469 votes cast that day.
To read more about each group, click on this link.
Please donate funds to keep this unique event going strong!
Ray Shows, Founder and Artistic Administrator
2020 Finalist Quartets
