The first annual Saint Paul String Quartet Competition for high school age string players was held on a rainy day in the Twin Cities in April, but there was plenty of sunshine and excitement inside as the six invited quartets from as far away as Chicago and comprising stellar string players from across the Midwest played their hearts out in front of a live audience and the Maia Quartet, the competition jurors (sponsored by Claire Givens Violins).
The Alethea Quartet of Illinois won the Schubert Club 1st Prize ($1000 cash and a matched set of cases donated by John Waddle) with their bold presentation of the Brahms C-minor Quartet and Bartok Fourth Quartet. Second prize was awarded to the Amici Quartet from Wisconsin and Third Prize went to the LNKS quartet of Minneapolis. The Audience Prize was presented to the String Theory quartet of Minnesota performing their Beethoven fearlessly from memory. The jurors were impressed with all the competitors and complimented all the groups during the awards ceremony and reception afterwards.
Mir string Quartet
String Theory
Fiestengh String Quartet