About the Quartet:
Since its inception in 2011 at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, the Larchmere String Quartet has
garnered international attention for its musical dynamism and innovative programming. The Quartet currently
holds the position of Eykamp Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Evansville and the Evansville
Philharmonic Orchestra in Indiana, where they work with students at the University of Evansville, perform as
the principal players of the Evansville Philharmonic, and serve as the University's ambassadors of chamber
music performance across Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois.
Dedicated to bringing the accessibility of chamber music to all audiences, the members of the LSQ have
performed regularly on the international stage in venues such as the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, the
Gewandhaus, the KKL and Suntory Hall, as well as the most intimate settings including cafes, community
centers and schools. Recent projects have included a full funded Banff Centre Residency in Canada, as well
as concert tours throughout New York, Massachussetts, Connecticut, Georgia and Alabama.
Equally devoted to music education and performance, the members of the LSQ have previously taught at the
University of Illinois, Indiana University, Johns Hopkins University and DePauw University, and given strings
and chamber music masterclasses, lectures, and workshops at institutions such as Denver University, Virginia
Commonwealth University, Rice University, the University of South Florida, and the University of Southern
Maine. Additionally, they continue to inspire thousands of young music students through their ongoing work
with youth orchestras, summer music festivals and K-12 interactive educational workshops across the US,
Canada and Europe.
Passionate about performing the works of living composers as well as the 20th century masters, the members
of the Larchmere String Quartet have commissioned, premiered and performed many works by composers
including David Dzubay, Don Freund, Eugene O’Brien, Gabriela Ortiz, Augusta Read Thomas, and Pierre
Boulez.
Individual Biographies
Jessica Tong, violinist
Lauded for her "lyrical intensity" (Baltimore Sun) and her "performances to remember" (Woodstock Times), violinist Jessica Tong has garnered international acclaim as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. A recipient of a Canada Council Grant for Profesional
Musicians and a Deutsche Akademische Austausch Dienst (DAAD) scholar, she has been a top prizewinner at the Eckhardt-Gramatte Competition, the Toronto Symphony and Canadian Music Competitions. She is also the recipient of the Elizabeth Massey and David Ouchterlony Awards, as well as the Peabody Prize for Outstanding Chamber Music Contribution.
A consummate chamber musician, Ms. Tong has performed in major international concert halls including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, les Invalides and the Gewandhaus, and
collaborated with artists such as Pamela Frank, Leon Fleisher, Cho-Liang Lin, and members of the Cleveland, Vogler, Brentano and Borromeo Quartets. For the 2013-14 season, she joins the Larchmere String Quartet as Eykamp Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Evansville and Concertmaster of the Evansville Philharmonic. Dedicated to finding innovative ways to make the chamber music art form relevant and understood by current society, Ms Tong is also a passionate advocate for music education and humanizing the concert experience. Projects she has been actively involved in include the Gorgeous Sounds Residency in Oregon, the Perlman Music Program Suncoast Residency in Florida, and the Odyssee Quartet Residency in France. A pupil of Pamela Frank, Ms. Tong has also studied with Kathleen Winkler, Donald Weilerstein, and Zhang yun Zhang, and has been mentored as a chamber musician by founding members of the Alban Berg, Artemis, Vogler and Brentano Quartets.
Alicia Choi, violinist
Praised for her “technical flair and gleaming tone” (The Berkshire Eagle) and for “possessing a big sound and a warm tone” (TwinCities.com), violinist Alicia Choi has performed solos with the Atlantic Music Festival, Berkshire Symphony, and Queens Symphony Orchestras under
conductors Ronald Feldman, Julian Kuerti, and Constantine Kitsopoulos. She has won awards and competitions including those held by the Fresno Musical Club, National Federation of Music Clubs, South Mountain Association, and Virtu Foundation. A passionate chamber musician, Alicia has collaborated with artists such as Jeanie Chung, Marc Coppey, Bonnie Hampton, Paul Hersh, Menahem Pressler, Masumi Per Rostad, Axel Strauss, as well as with members of ETHEL and the Momenta Quartet.
the first recipient of the Sam and Colin Murdoch Chamber Music Scholarship, Alicia was an Artist Certificate in Chamber Music candidate studying with Axel Strauss at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, when she joined the Larchmere String Quartet as the second violinist.
Rose Wollman, violist
Lauded for her multifaceted interpretations of both classical and contemporary music alike, violist Rose Wollman is sought after as a soloist, chamber musician, pedagogue, and
orchestral musician. As the founding violist of the Larchmere String Quartet, she is currently a member of the Eykamp String Quartet-in-Residence with the Evansville Philharmonic and the University of Evansville, which is dedicated to mentoring university and pre-college music students, promoting classical chamber music in the surrounding communities, and representing the University and Philharmonic on the national and international stage.
A champion of promoting and performing new music, Rose has commissioned, premiered and performed many pieces, working with groundbreaking composers such as Pierre Boulez, Augusta Read Thomas, David Dzubay, Gabriela Ortiz, and Don Freund. With the Petar Jankovic Ensemble, a chamber group comprised of string quartet and guitar, Rose toured extensively in the United States and Europe, and recently released a CD titled From Spain to Tango.
As a devoted music educator, Rose has served as a viola and chamber music faculty member at DePauw University, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and the University of Illinois. Currently a doctoral candidate in viola with a minor in music theory at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Rose also holds degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music, and the University of Illinois.
Schuyler Slack, cellist
A native of Alexandria, Virginia, cellist Schuyler Slack has demonstrated his versatility as a performer across the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. As the founding cellist of the Larchmere String Quartet, Schuyler serves as a member of the Eykamp Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Evansville in Indiana, mentoring students at the University of Evansville and the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and bringing innovative chamber music
experiences to communities across Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. An adept orchestral
musician, Schuyler currently holds the principal cello position with the Evansville Philharmonic and continues to make frequent appearances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He has also previously held positions with the Akron, Canton and Owensboro Symphony Orchestras. After watching Yo-Yo Ma perform on television at the age of three, Schuyler knew immediately that he wanted to play the cello, and went on to study under Glenn Garlick, Stephen Geber and Mark Kosower. However, it was not until the mentoring under members of the Cavani and Cleveland Quartets at the Cleveland Institute of Music that he was inspired to pursue a career as a chamber musician. Since then, he has
collaborated with chamber music luminaries such as Martin Beaver, Denis Brott, Alban Gerhardt, Barry Shiffman, Joel Smirnoff, Mark Steinberg, and Donald and Vivian Weilerstein, and made festival appearances at the Pacific Music Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, Zephyr International Chamber Music Festival, Banff Centre Summer Chamber Music Residency, and the Juilliard and St. Lawrence String Quartet Seminars. Additional teachers have included the Juilliard Quartet, St. Lawrence Quartet, and members of the Brentano, Belcea, Cleveland, Guarneri, Miami, Miro, and Pacifica Quartets.
Acclaim
:“It was thrilling to hear the Larchmere Quartet this past weekend both at Bowdoin and Bates. You all were
totally outstanding - and your audiences were thrilled. The unity of expression you have achieved is stunning -
and it serves the music so perfectly. I felt the Beethoven was revelatory. You really brought out the daring
complexities that broke boundaries for its time.”
-
Julia Adams, violist of the Portland String Quartet
“
[W]hat a great joy it was for me to work and perform with all of you during the last few weeks. Your musicianship, energy, and passion are inspiring and contagious, and I feel truly grateful to have had the opportunity to share in it!”-Thomas Josenhans, Chair of the Department of Music at the University of Evansville
“What a treat it was to have you teach our string students…It was so wonderful to be together with you all
and start a real feeling of string community. I can’t thank you enough for what energy, good feelings and
excellent musicianship you contribute to our department.”
-Carol Dallinger, Oramay Cluthe Eades Distinguished Professor of Music at the University of Evansville
“It is unique experiences like this that inspire students and give students a new appreciation for music and
musicians. Live performances are interactive and are a rare experience for many of the students at Cedar Hall
and Delaware/Evan. An opportunity to hear a live performance…takes the students' mind off of their troubles
- even for a short amount of time - and paves the way for an educational and musical experience. “
-Rebecca Cichy, violin teacher at Cedar Hall Middle School and Delaware Elementary School
“Their professionalism and artistry made it a pleasure to play with them. Their performances were precise,
nuanced, and communicated a both a deep understanding of the music and a personal connection to it.”
Photos:
Sample Programs*:
*Below is a limited selection of previous program offerings. Please contact LSQ to find out specific program
offerings for the upcoming season.
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Early Masterpieces
Haydn String Quartet op. 20 no. 4
Mendelssohn String Quartet op. 12
Intermission
Bartok String Quartet no. 1
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Inspiration and Innovation
Orlande de Lassus Stabat Mater
(arr. for string quartet)
Schnittke String Quartet no. 3
Intermission
Beethoven String Quartet op. 130 with
Grosse Fugue
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The Beethovenian Influence
Mendelssohn String Quartet op. 13
Bartok String Quartet no. 1
Intermission
Beethoven String Quartet op. 130
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Haydn String Quartet op. 77 no. 1
Bartok String Quartet no. 5
Intermission
Beethoven String Quartet op. 59 no. 2
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Ligeti String Quartet no. 1 “
Metamorphoses Nocturnes
”
Mozart String Quartet K. 387 in G Major
Intermission
Schubert String Quartet D. 797, “
Rosamunde
”
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Quartet Offerings:
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LIVE PERFORMANCE: The Quartet offers chamber music performances in both the traditional concert
format for the well-seasoned concert-goer, as well as an interactive concert format for communities seeking to enhance the accessibility of high quality chamber music.-
MASTERCLASSES: The LSQ conducts public masterclasses for chamber music or solo string students at the
university, pre-college and K-12 levels.-
CHAMBER MUSIC WORKSHOPS: This is a more in-depth exploration of works with pre-selected chamber
ensembles, usually appropriate for serious pre-college string students, university music students and adult amateur musicians.-
LECTURE SEMINARS: The LSQ is able to conduct various round table discussions on such topics as the
Business of Music, the Business of Chamber Music, Education Outreach, Mind over Matter: Overcoming Performance Anxiety, Effective Practicing Habits.-
OUTREACH PERFORMANCES AND WORKSHOPS:
The LSQ offers i
nteractive 45 minute assembly programs aimed at between 1-3 grade levels ranging in age-apropriate material between K-12 students. This activity introduces tools for active listening and music from a variety of composers and periods. The LSQ also offers workshops in school orchestra classrooms, covering skills for personal practice, personal responsibility, team work, cuing, following, group dynamics, intonation, tone, etc. The Quartet also offers workshops in non-music classrooms relating a variety of academic subjects to non-musical concepts and ideas-
SIDE BY SIDE PERFORMANCE COLLABORATIONS: The Quartet is able to work with students of the
music department in a collaborative performance of chamber works in order to expose them to professional concert preparation.-
SHORT TERM CHAMBER RESIDENCIES: The short term residency consists of a weeklong visit by the
LSQ. In addition to performing in concerts, the LSQ works with an institution or presenter to create acomprehensive outreach program, combining various of the aforementioned activities, in order to bring high quality chamber music access and education to all members of the community.
