March 25, 2003
Contact: John Michel (509-963-2116/fax 509-963-1239/e-mail: michelj@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Just months after being formed, a
Central Washington University student string quartet has been selected
for one of the most prestigious chamber music competitions in the
country.
The Abraxas Quartet came together during winter quarter to
study and perform string quartet literature in the CWU music
department’s chamber music seminar, directed by the members of the
Kairos String Quartet, the “quartet in residence” at CWU and the Icicle
Creek Music Center in Leavenworth, Wash.
“The members of the Abraxas Quartet have a wonderful chemistry
and their enthusiasm for the music is contagious,” John Michel, CWU
music professor and Kairos Quartet cellist, says.
The quartet is comprised of freshman violinists Elyse
Jacobson, Seattle; and Aaron Inglin, Olympia; New Jersey native
CareyAnn Brady, viola, senior; and Jonathan Thomson, cello, junior,
Custer, Wash.
After just a short time together, the members realized that a
special synergy existed among the quartet. So, they decided to enter
the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
Founded in 1973, the nation’s largest competition is
designed to encourage emerging professional instrumental chamber music
ensembles and to provide a forum for their talents. Each year young
professionals and students from the finest American conservatories and
music schools participate, not to mention foreign nationals from more
than 20 countries representing South America, Asia and Europe.
In preparing for submission of the required audition
videotape, the quartet rehearsed quartets of Mendelssohn and
Shostakovich for an average of 12 hours weekly, besides their regular
regimen of solo practice, ensemble rehearsals and academic schoolwork.
And, that practice paid off.
The quartet was selected as one of just 12 finalists in their
age division (18 to 39, but averaging under 30). The finals will be
held May 9 on the campus of Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind.
The quartet's name was taken from the Hermann Hesse novel,
“Demian.” In the story, Abraxas is presented as the concept of a deity
outside of dualistic limits such as male and female or good and evil;
rather, Abraxas encompasses both extremes.
The public will have an opportunity to hear the Abraxas
Quartet perform on Thursday, April 3, at 8 p.m. in Hertz Hall as they
present a program of quartets by Mendelssohn and Shostakovich.
Donations will be accepted to help them meet the $1,700 in expenses
that will be incurred by their participation in the Fischoff
Competition finals.
For more information about the program, or for persons of
disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509)
963-1216, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143.
