Stronger partnership with string quartet

Music

The University of Adelaide has strengthened its partnership with the Australian String Quartet (ASQ), committing $350,000 over the next five years to sponsor one of the country's leading chamber ensembles.

Under a new 2008-2012 agreement with the University, the ASQ will continue to give high-profile concerts on campus, perform at special graduation ceremonies both in Adelaide and offshore, and perform at major fundraising events for the University.

The quartet will also present chamber music workshops, participate in composer forums and help the Elder Conservatorium of music recruit potential new students by visiting and performing in high schools.

Elder Conservatorium Director Professor David Lockett said the partnership would provide mutual benefits to both the University and the ASQ.

"The Australian String Quartet is enjoying great success nationally and internationally and we are extremely pleased that this new agreement enables them to make a significant contribution to the artistic and educational profile of the Elder Conservatorium," Professor Lockett said.

"To have an ensemble such as the ASQ in our midst provides students with unique insights into the nature and standards of the professional world. The diversity of the repertoire that they perform, their admirable work ethic and the sheer class of their playing will inspire students to higher technical and artistic goals.

"The enhanced relationship will also add an important dimension to the intellectual and cultural life of the University as well as bringing additional lustre to its image in the community," Professor Lockett said.

The ASQ has been Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Adelaide since 1991. The current quartet of Sophie Rowell and Anne Horton, violins, Sally Boud, viola, and Rachel Johnston, cello, took up the position in 2006.

This combination of players originally came together as the Tankstream Quartet and was coached by Alice Waten at the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney. Leader Sophie Rowell is currently studying for a Doctoral Degree in Music Performance at the Elder Conservatorium of Music.
This ASQ holds the distinction of having won more international chamber music competitions than any other ensemble in Australian history.

Already it is Dusk is the ASQ's performance for the Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts, to be held on Saturday 1 March at 6.00pm in the Adelaide Town Hall. Enchantment - the first concert in the ASQ's national season - is on Wednesday 12 March at 7.00pm. Tickets for both concerts are available from BASS on 131 246.

The quartet will give an Elder Hall Lunchtime concert on Friday 4 April at 1.10pm and will participate in the International Cello Festival with a performance on Thursday 17 April in Elder Hall at 6.00pm.

Story by Candy Gibson