Student Compositions to Be Premiered by Formalist Quartet in February

Ten students, chosen through a competitive application process, spent Winter Term composing string quartets, taking lessons, and participating in master classes with composition professor Lewis Nielson.

The month culminates in a rare opportunity for the students to have their compositions played and recorded by a professional string quartet. The Formalist Quartet—an ensemble focused on pioneering contemporary music and world premieres—is in residence February 2 through February 5. The ensemble will record and workshop the student compositions, present a seminar on string quartet literature, and offer a public performance of its own music.

Founded in 2006, the quartet has performed frequently across the United States and Europe in concert halls, festivals, art galleries, cafés, and homes.