ELIGIBILITY
 

The Saint Paul String Quartet Competition (SPSQC) is open exclusively for String Quartets (ensembles comprising 2 violins, viola, and cello). The SPSQC SENIOR DIVISION is open to U.S. and non-U.S. residents provided the age of each musician in the quartet is not more than 30 years on April 20, 2024. 

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

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

• Quartets with professional management are not eligible to compete in the SPSQC.

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RULES & REGULATIONS​

 

There are 3 distinct Rounds of competition: Selection Round, BIMOC/FEMALE COMPOSER Round, and Final Round.  ​

Applications for the Selection Round must be completed by 11:59pm on Wednesday, March 01, 2024.

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Selection Round (Applications due by 3/1/2023)

Applicants are required to prepare and submit Two Complete Works of contrasting styles and periods from the standard string quartet repertoire. Email your repertoire selections to SPSQC Artistic Administrator for approval.

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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. FOUR quartets will be invited to compete in the final two rounds on April 20, 2024  

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BIPOC/Female Composer Round (4/22/2023)

All finalists quartets will perform Billy Childs: String Quartet No.2  "Awakening"  mvt 1. Wake-up Call.

NOTE: Digital sheet music (score & parts) will be sent to each SPSQC finalist group

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Recital Round (4/22/2023)

Each finalist quartet will select and perform a program not to exceed 30 minutes in length using selected movements from their submitted works. Must be approved by Artistic Administrator in advance of the event.

 

The 2024 Senior Division Final Rounds will be adjudicated by the distinguished Heath 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. 

 

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 two unedited videos (Each piece must be performed in their entirety for the video. Repeats are optional):

​Video 1: Unedited video performance of a Standard String Quartet composition

Video 2: Unedited video performance of a Standard String Quartet composition (contrasting from Video 1 in style and period)

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NOTE: Performance videos can be from either the 2022-23 or 2023-24 academic years but must adhere to all eligibility requirements. Membership must be the same in all videos.

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Upon Acceptance to the SPSQC Senior Finals:

1. Send confirmation of participation in the SPSQC final rounds to the Artistic Administrator.

2. Prepare the required BIPOC/Female Composer work (Billy Childs: String Quartet No.2  "Awakening" 
mvt 1. Wake-up Call) for performance in St. Paul on April 20, 2024. Digital sheet music will be sent to each finalist group. 

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2023 Schedule (for reference only)

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