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Junior Division

ELIGIBILITY

The Saint Paul String Quartet Competition (SPSQC) is open exclusively for String Quartets (ensembles comprising 2 violins, viola, and cello). The SPSQC JUNIOR DIVISION is open to U.S. and non-U.S. residents not more than 19 years of age on April 12, 2025, and the person is not enrolled in a college degree program. 

  • No individual may enter/compete in more than one ensemble.

  • Quartets invited to perform in the Final Rounds must retain original membership and perform the repertoire submitted in the application.

  • Competing Quartets may include individuals who have previously won a Gold Medal in different competition years. Previous winners of the Silver and Bronze medals are ALL eligible to compete..

RULES & REGULATIONS

​There are 3 distinct rounds of competition: Selection Round, Haydn & BIMOC or Female Composer Round, and Final RoundApplications for the Selection Round must be completed by 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Selection Round (Applications due by 2/19/2025)

The SPSQC Junior Division requires applicants to prepare and upload 3 movements from the string quartet repertoire: One movement from any of Joseph Haydn's string quartets, One movement from the Romantic/Nationalist era, and One Modern/Contemporary string quartet movement. (SEE ALL REPERTOIRE SELECTIONS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS FINALISTS).

Submitted videos will be reviewed by a quartet of professional string quartet players. Each applicant Quartet will receive detailed written comments in the following categories: Tone Quality, Intonation, Ensemble & Balance, and Musical Ideas. SIX quartets will be invited to compete in the final two rounds on April 12, 2025.

B
IPOC/Female Composer Round (4/12/2025)

All selected finalist quartets are required to perform DINUK WIJERATNE, Two Pop Songs on Antique Poems (2014), I. 'A Letter from the After-life'.  Digital sheet music (score & parts) will be available to all applicants. Performance order will be randomly selected.


Final Round (4/12/2025)

Invited Finalist quartets will perform from their submitted repertoire (no substitutions) in Sundin Music Hall for a live and broadcast audience. Order of performance will be the same as the previous Round.

​The 2025 Final Rounds will be adjudicated by the distinguished Pacifica Quartet.
The Pacifica Quartet is fully sponsored by the MacPhail School for the Arts.

 
APPLICATION PROCESS

All applications must uploaded to the Acceptd Audition Platform by Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Only one member of the Quartet is required to register with Acceptd and submit materials on behalf of the ensemble. 

1. Login or Create an Acceptd account.

2. Fill in ALL contact information. None of this will be shared outside of the SPSQC organization. 
3. Provide proof of age for each quartet member.
4. Upload a recent high quality photo of the quartet (Color or BxW). 
5. Upload the following (3) unedited videos:​

Video 1: One Joseph Haydn string quartet movement.
Video 2: One Romantic/Nationalist string quartet movement,
    OR one movement from Beethoven quartets Op.59, Op.74, or Op.95.
    OR one movement from Schubert quartets Quartetsatz (D.703), A minor (D.804), D minor (D.810),
           or G major (D.887).
Video 3: One Modern/Contemporary string quartet movement. 


* Questions about Repertoire? Contact Artistic Administrator.

Complete your 2024 SPSQC application by paying the application fee ($160) via credit card.

 

Applications are due by 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. No exceptions! If you are having any technical issues contact us before Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

2024 SPSQC Program Book

THE 2025 SPSQC AWARDS

1st Prize = Gold Medals + $1600 + Signed Award Certificates
 

2nd Prize = Silver Medals + $1200 + Signed Award Certificates


3rd Prize = Bronze Medals + $1000 + Signed Award Certificates


Haydn Prize = Special Medals + $800 + Signed Award Certificates


BIPOC/Female Composer Prize =  Special Medals + $800 + Signed Award Certificates

Audience Prize = $400 + Signed Certificates

VIDEO recording preparation:
Each of the three (3) video recordings being submitted to the SPSQC for the Preliminary Round must be recorded as a complete “take” and not be edited or altered in any way. The SPSQC reserves the right to disqualify applicants entering enhanced or modified recordings. 

EVENT DATE:
The SPSQC Junior Division final rounds will take place on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Each group invited to the Final Rounds must compete with the same repertoire submitted in the Selection Round.

VIDEO RECORDING DETAILS:
Each ensemble should upload video recordings of their selected movements to 
Acceptd.com . The video recordings must show all ensemble members at all times. The picture must remain stationary (no panning, fade-in/fade-out or close-up techniques). The ensemble should fill the screen as much as possible. Each movement must be a complete take with no editing.

VIDEO FILE LABELING FORMAT 

Example:

Your Quartet's Name

Mendelssohn: Quartet in e minor, Op.44 No.2
mvt I.Allegro assai appassionato (10:30)   
 

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