Strings news

In just over three years, Nicolò Spera has put CU-Boulder on the map as a true global mecca for classical-guitar teaching, performance and competition.

There was a time when the New York-based Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company traveled with the same musicians when it toured the country.

Quartet members Andrew Giordano, Andrew Krimm, Zachary Reaves and Joshua Ulrich joined Park, bassoonist Daniel Nester, tenor Paul Kroeger and mezzo-soprano Rebecca Robinson were named finalists after two rounds of competition among 40 contestants. The quartet won the $2,000 overall prize, Park received $500 for the audience prize and all finalists received $500 prizes, to be used professional development, to help with costs for such things as performance, outreach or recording.

All apologies to Forrest Gump, but you really never know what you’re going to get at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Ekstrand music competition finals. Might be Bach, Bernstein or Basie, show tunes or a string quartet, a jazz solo or guitar duo.

The Cavani Quartet's Oct. 15-20 residency at CU-Boulder includes two performances at Grusin Music Hall and master classes, lectures and workshops on campus and in the community.

By Peter Alexander | Sharps & Flatirons

By Joshua Kosman | Houston Chronicle It's been nearly a decade since Geraldine Walther packed up her viola and left the ranks of the San Francisco SympCalifornia drought: Major cutbacks by many Northern Californians hony in favor of the life of a chamber musician. It doesn't sound like she regrets the decision for a moment.

By Peter Alexander | Boulder Weekly The Kronos Quartet, always bold, brings Boulder artists to Boulder for their appearance at Macky Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Michele “Mikhy” and Mike Ritter were college sweethearts at CU-Boulder. When they left their adopted hometown a few years after graduation to pursue career goals, Mikhy made Mike sign a contract that they’d return in five years. “It took us six years to get back but we held up the bargain,” she says, laughing.

Boulder composer, radio journalist featured in program’s first half When the world-renowned Kronos Quartet takes the stage at Macky Auditorium Oct. 8, expect a bit of Boulder, a dash of ‘60s Germany and a major meditation on World War I in music and film.