Student Compositions to Be Premiered by Formalist Quartet in February

Winter Term workshop includes collaboration with visiting artists.

January 23, 2015

Conservatory Communications Staff

Formalist Quartet working in Clonick Hall.
Photo credit: courtesy Conservatory Communications

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.

Composition professor working with student.
Composition professor Aaron Helgeson works with a composition student on a new piece to be premiered by the Formalist Quartet.

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.

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