Grammy-nominated, critically-acclaimed St. Lawrence String Quartet to teach and perform at ASU School of Music

TEMPE, AZ - Lauded as "Provocative and brilliant" to "One of the great quartets of our lifetime" by esteemed critics at The New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle ; the Herberger College School of Music is proud to announce the St. Lawrence String Quartet (SLSQ) will serve as Visiting Quartet in Residence 2005-2006.

As Visiting Quartet in Residence, the Grammy-nominated ensemble will present concerts, master classes and open rehearsals, in addition to working with students on themed projects. The foursome includes: Geoff Nuttall and Barry Shiffman, violin; Lesley Robertson, viola; and Christopher Costanza, cello.

The quartet is known equally for their fresh, vibrant interpretation of the standard quartet repertoire, as well as for their passionate dedication to commissioning and performing works of living composers. The SLSQ maintains a strong desire to expose the wonders of chamber music to new and old listeners, a characteristic of the foursome that has led them to a more informal performance style than one might expect from chamber musicians.

"The School of Music is very pleased to be working with the St. Lawrence String Quartet this academic year. And, we are happy they have agreed to participate in our year-long celebration of the music of Mozart with their Jan. 26 concert," said Wayne Bailey, director of the Herberger College School of Music. "The quartet's presence on our campus is a continuation of the distinguished guest series begun two years ago with guest artist composer Gunther Schuller. Having internationally recognized musicians such as these as part of our School of Music is an important part of our educational and community performance offerings."

The Herberger College School of Music has made it possible for Valley music lovers to see the renowned quartet in concert for free Oct. 10 and 12, Jan. 26 (in conjunction with the Mozart 250 @ ASU program) and March 2. A complete schedule of events follows. While tickets are free, reservations are required. Call 480-965-6447 to reserve seats. Tickets can be picked up the night of the event at the will call counter. For more information on the SLSQ at the School of Music, please go to http://music.asu.edu/

or call 480-965-6447

Schedule of Concerts:

Oct. 10, 2005; 7:30 p.m., Katzin Concert Hall 
The world-renowned St. Lawrence String Quartet, serving as Visiting Quartet in Residence during 2005-2006, will present a concert including Haydn's "Joke" quartet, R. Murray Schaefer's quartet No. 3, and Beethoven's quartet Op. 131. The Haydn presentation is part of a larger educational project with ASU students.

Oct. 12, 5 p.m., Katzin Concert Hall 
ASU School of Music students will perform a series of Haydn quartets coached by the St. Lawrence String Quartet, visiting quartet in residence.

Jan. 26, 2006; 7:30 p.m, Katzin Concert Hall 
The world-renowned St. Lawrence String Quartet, serving as Visiting Quartet in Residence during 2005-2006, will be joined by ASU faculty violist Nancy Buck in an all Mozart program. This concert is part of the larger Mozart 250@ ASU celebration, in honor of the 250th anniversary of his birth. The program will include two string quartets and a viola quintet.

March 2, 2006; 7:30 p.m., Katzin Concert Hall 
The world-renowned St. Lawrence String Quartet, serving as Visiting Quartet in Residence during 2005-2006, will present an all Shostakovich concert featuring three of his string quartets. This final concert will mark the completion of the quartet's visiting residency and its exciting work with ASU students.

Instructional Events (open to the public)

Monday, Oct. 10 
9:30-10:30am Individual Coachings 
Haydn Quartet Op. 77 No. 2 - Katzin 
10:30-11:30am Individual Coachings 
Haydn Quartet Op. 74 No. 3 'Rider' - Katzin 
11:30am-12:30pm Individual Coachings 
Haydn Quartet Op. 71 No. 1 - Katzin 
1:30-2:30pm Brass Chamber Music Masterclass - Katzin 
2:40-4:00pm Open Rehearsal/Discussion about rehearsal techniques (Haydn Quartet) - Katzin 
  
Tuesday Oct. 11 
9:30-10:30am Individual Coachings 
Haydn Quartet Op. 33 No. 2 'Joke' - Katzin 
10:30-11:30am Individual Coachings 
Haydn Quartet Op. 71 No. 1 - Katzin 
11:30am-12:30pm Individual Coachings 
Haydn Quartet Op. 1 No. 3 - Katzin 
1:30-3:30pm Reading/Coaching of Mozart Clarinet Quintet with clarinet students - Katzin 
4:30-6:30pm String Quartet Masterclass (Haydn) - Recital Hall

Jan. 24-26, 2006
Mozart 
Detailed Schedule coming soon

March 2-3, 2006
Shostakovich 
Detailed Schedule coming soon

The School of Music in the Arizona State University Herberger College of Fine Arts is one of the top music schools in the nation. More than 100 music faculty artists and scholars work with approximately 800 music majors each year in research, performance and scholarly activities. It presents approximately 700 concerts and recitals each season. To learn more about the School of Music, visit http://music.asu.edu.

Media Contact:
Mica Matsoff
(480) 965-0478
Mica.Matsoff@asu.edu