University of Utah Graduate String Quartet accepted into Julliard Seminar

The University of Utah School of Music Graduate String Quartet has been accepted into the intense Julliard String Quartet Seminar – one of the most prestigious in the country — for the week of May 20-24.

The U of U quartet was chosen among applicants from around the world by submitting an audio recording of selected works. "This particular constellation of players seemed to have the talent and drive to try out for something this ambitious," said Hasse Borup, Associate Professor and String Area Head, in a press release. "This quartet is a symbiosis of four highly talented and accomplished string students, who has hit a very successful combination of ambition and ability. I am very proud of their achievements and desire to perform some of the greatest repertoire written at the highest level." During the seminar, the quartet will receive intensive coaching and mentoring with members of the Juilliard String Quartet, have a rehearsal studio, and perform in a public concert at Juilliard.

The quartet comprises Melissa Combe, Violin, Jakob Hofer, Violin, Sunny Johnson, Viola, and Lauren Posey, Cello.

"It's like working with music celebrities," said Combe in the release, "we'll come back a much better group." Started in 2008, the School of Music Graduate String Quartet program offers dedicated string players serious quartet experience and the chance to log extensive performance opportunities on and off campus as musical ambassadors for the U of U. Combe, Hofer, Johnson, Posey have been playing together since August of 2012, and say this group "just works." For more information see the School of Music website at http://www.music.utah.edu.