The Claudius Quartet, a Bay Area-based ensemble, won the top prize at the School of Music’s Yehudi Menuhin Seminar for Chamber Music on February 5. The teenaged ensemble took home The Jane Galante First Prize, a $1000 award made possible by a generous gift from The Joyce McLean Fellowship Fund for the Menuhin Seminar, after performing movements from Schubert’s Quartet No. 14 in D minor (Death and the Maiden) and Ginastera’s Quartet No. 1, Op. 20. The Claudius Quartet is comprised of violinist Andrew Lee, violinist Ellie Kanayama, violist Rebecca Christainsen and cellist Euan Shields. Susan Bates, director of Young Chamber Musicians, coaches the quartet.
The Crowden Quartet took home The Jane Galante Second Prize, worth $500 and made possible by a generous gift from Norma Siani-Alston. The ensemble is comprised of violinist Jun Liu, violinist/violist Sofia Matthews, violinist/violist Anna Renton and cellist Isabelle Nichols, cello. Eugene Sor coaches the Crowden Quartet.
Trio Animato won The Jane Galante Third Prize, worth $250 and made possible by a generous gift from David and Judy Preves Anderson. The ensemble is comprised of pianist Cami Akioka, violinist Emily Gao and cellist Jaime An. Trio Animato is also coached by Bates.
About the Yehudi Menuhin Seminar for Chamber Music
The Menuhin Seminar provides young chamber music ensembles from throughout California the opportunity to participate in master classes and concerts with Music faculty. Ensembles compete for cash prizes and Music scholarships to SF State.
Launched in 2003 to honor the great violinist Yehudi Menuhin’s association with San Francisco and SF State, this event advances the belief that music has the power to create understanding and transcend differences between people. Directed by Cyrus Ginwala.
Links
- Yehudi Menuhin Seminar for Chamber Music
- Young Chamber Musicians
- Youthful Musicianship Reigns at Yehudi Menuhin Seminar, February 23, 2016
Photo: The Claudius Quartet, from left: Andrew Lee, Ellie Kanayama, Rebecca Christainsen and Euan Shields. Photo courtesy of Young Chamber Musicians.