ELIGIBILITY

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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 13, 2024, and the person is not enrolled in a college degree program. 

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

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

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• Competing Quartets may include ONE (1) individual who has previously won a Gold Medal. Previous winners of the Silver and Bronze medals are ALL eligible to compete.

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RULES & REGULATIONS

​There are 3 distinct rounds of competition: Selection Round, Haydn & BIMOC or Female Composer Round, and Final Round. Applications for the Selection Round must be completed by 11:59pm on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

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Selection Round (Applications due by 2/27/2024)

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).

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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 13, 2024.

BIPOC/Female Composer Round (4/13/2024)

All selected finalist quartets will perform Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, String Quartet No. 1 "Calvary", Mvt I. Allegro.  Digital sheet music (score & parts) will be sent to each SPSQC finalist group. Performance order will be randomly selected.

Final Round (4/13/2024)

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.

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​The 2024 Final Rounds will be adjudicated by the distinguished Parker Quartet.

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APPLICATION PROCESS

All applications must uploaded to the Acceptd Audition Platform by Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

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

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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. 

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* Questions about Repertoire? Contact Artistic Administrator.

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

 

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