Photo Credit: Leyan Lo

September 2014

Following a very successful inaugural year last season, the Cecilia String Quartet will once again oversee the annual University of Toronto String Quartet Composition Competition for 2014-2015. The competition was launched by the CSQ to inspire young composers to write for string quartet.

The competition is open to all University of Toronto music majors. The CSQ will perform all the entries in reading sessions at the University of Toronto, and select one winner.

The winner will receive:

  • a performance of the work by the CSQ at the University of Toronto’s New Music Festival on February 5 2015 (the Festival runs from January 30 to February 5 2015)
  • a professional studio recording of the work by the CSQ
  • a cash prize of $1500, generously donated by Dr. Mary Craig Gardner

Norbert Palej, Assistant Professor of Composition at The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, commented on the 2013-2014 edition of the competition:

“Last year’s String Quartet Composition Competition motivated U of T students to produce an abundance of new quartet music – some of it very challenging, as they knew they were writing for an exquisite ensemble. And the result did not disappoint: the Cecilia Quartet performed Patrick McGraw’s winning piece Glass with technical precision and deep musical insight, while the runner-ups received valuable feedback during several public reading sessions.”

Check back with the CSQ on December 3 2014 to find out the winner of the 2014-2015 competition!