2022 Junior Division

PRIZEWINNERS​

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ST. PAUL – APRIL 18, 2022

CONTACT: RAY SHOWS

ray@artaria.us

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ST. PAUL – APRIL 18, 2022

The 2022 Saint Paul String Quartet Competition (SPSQC) JUNIOR DIVISION, the nation’s premiere event for high school string quartets, was held on Saturday, April 09. From a pool of applicants from Los Angeles to New York, six outstanding high school quartets were selected to compete in three rounds of competition judged by the distinguished Arianna String Quartet. Once again, preparation and performance level were exemplary; each ensemble presented a unique voice to the online audience (1518 online votes were cast).

This year’s Gold Medalist and Haydn Prize winning ensemble was the PERESSON STRING QUARTET from the Music Institute of Chicago. Silver Medals went to the OMAGGIO Quartet, also from the Music Institute in Chicago. (They were the 2021 Bronze medalists). The SPREZZATURA QUARTET from the New Music School in Chicago were awarded the Bronze Medals and the BIPOC Prize. The audience prize went to the WCPE QUARTET from the North Carolina Chamber Music Institute. The remaining finalist quartets were the DAJJ Quartet from Chamber Music Connection in Ohio, and the SELENE QUARTET from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music in California.

The jury for the 2022 SPSQC Final Round was the Arianna String Quartet. Selection judges were Aaron Boyd, formerly violinist of the Escher Quartet; Catherine Cosbey, violinist of the Cavani String Quartet; Jonah Sirota, violist of the Chiara Quartet; and Estelle Choi, cellist of the Calidore Quartet.

The Saint Paul String Quartet competition was founded in 2006 by Artaria String Quartet violinist Ray Shows. Mr. Shows is the Artistic Administrator of this annual event. The SPSQC has now presented 17 National Competitions – the previous two events were virtual. Created as a performance showcase for advanced quartet studies, this unique national event has received superlative acclaim by Strings magazine and recognition by Chamber Music America and many of the most renowned teachers in the country. Its stated aim is to “celebrate excellence in string quartet playing (and) foster an increased appreciation for the chamber music art form and enhance the music culture in this country.”

The Saint Paul String Quartet Competition Junior Division is open to high school string quartets from around the country and is always adjudicated by a professional string quartet.

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The Saint Paul String Quartet competition was founded in 2006 by Artaria String Quartet violinist Ray Shows. Mr. Shows is the Artistic Administrator of this annual event. The SPSQC has now presented 16 National Competitions – the previous two events were virtual. Created as a performance showcase for advanced quartet studies, this unique national event has received superlative acclaim by Strings magazine and recognition by Chamber Music America and many of the most renowned teachers in the country. Its stated aim is to “celebrate excellence in string quartet playing (and) foster an increased appreciation for the chamber music art form and enhance the music culture in this country.” The Saint Paul String Quartet Competition is open to high school and college age string quartets from around the country and is always adjudicated by a professional string quartet.

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