The Graduate String Quartet Program at the College of Music enables one string quartet to work intensively with members of the renowned Takács Quartet and other string faculty. The Takács will be auditioning graduate quartets to take up the Graduate Quartet in Residence position for 2019-20, a position generously funded by the Starling Foundation and Takács Society. For more information about deadlines and audition requirements, please contact the quartet or visit the Graduate Auditions page.
Takács Quartet
Recognized as one of the world’s premiere string quartets, the Takács Quartet has been in residence at the University of Colorado since 1983 and, in collaboration with other string faculty, has developed a program geared toward students who relish the chance to develop their artistry with a special emphasis on chamber music, in a small tightly knit community where students will not be lost in the crowd. Members of the Takács admit a small number of students to their individual classes each year and work intensively with the resident graduate string quartet. Although the quartet maintains a high-profile international career, the schedule is managed carefully to allow for regular and frequent periods teaching in Boulder. The quartet’s commitment to teaching is enhanced by summer residencies at the Aspen Festival and at the Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara. The Takács is a visiting quartet at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London.
Ivalas Quartet
Graduate Quartet in Residence
Founded in Ann Arbor in 2016, the Ivalas Quartet is composed of violinists Reuben Kebede and Anita Dumar, violist Aimée McAnulty, and cellist Pedro Sánchez. Ivalas has performed with artists such as the Calidore String Quartet, Imani Winds, Danielle Belen, David Ying, and Patricia Terry-Ross. The quartet has also been heard on WRCJ 90.9 FM’s Classical Brunch series and appeared at the inaugural Detroit Music Weekend. Maintaining their commitment to community engagement, Ivalas has also represented the Sphinx Organization playing for students in Flint and the Metro Detroit area. Recently awarded first prize in the 2019 WDAV Young Artists Chamber Music Competition, the quartet also took first prize 2018 Briggs Chamber Music Competition and was named a semifinalist group at both the M-Prize competition and Concert Artists Guild competition in New York. Photo at left courtesy Maya Ballester. Visit the Ivalas Quartet website >>
Past Quartets in Residence
Ajax Quartet
Founded in 2016 at the University of Colorado, the Ajax Quartet is an emerging string quartet in the Denver area that has quickly grown in following and recognition. A Boulder-based ensemble, Ajax performs for local audiences and had concert engagements in California and Washington during Summer 2017. The group began its residency with the Graduate Quartet Program in Fall 2017, under the tutelage of the Grammy award-winning Takacs Quartet. Photo courtesy Karen Hemsing-Haugen. Visit the Ajax Quartet website >>
Altius Quartet
Formed in 2011 at Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts, the Altius Quartet has an active performance schedule including engagements at music festivals, series and universities throughout the United States. Highlights of the 2015-16 season include: performances at Music at Kohl Mansion in San Francisco and California State University in Fullerton, residencies at the Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival, the Western Slope Concert Series and participation in the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival as Shouse Artists. Visit the Altius Quartet website >>
Orava Quartet
During its time as our graduate quartet in residence, the Orava Quartet performed at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. and extensively across the United States. This period also saw the quartet win the Musica Viva Australia Tony Berg Award for outstanding Australian ensemble and the Peter Druce Audience Prize at the 2013 Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition. Its members are now based in Brisbane, Australia. View the Orarva Quartet website >>
Tesla Quartet
Dubbed “technically superb” by The Strad magazine, the Tesla Quartet has garnered top prizes at numerous international competitions, including the Gold Medal at the 2012 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, Third Prize and the Best Interpretation of the Commissioned Work at the Sixth International Joseph Haydn Chamber Music Competition in Vienna and Third Prize at the 2012 London International String Quartet Competition. View the Tesla Quartet website >>
