The USC School of Music announces the continued residency of the Parker Quartet November 19 – 25, 2013.
During the November residency week the internationally acclaimed Grammy Award-winning string quartet will offer two public concerts, a public master class, chamber music coachings, seminars, and outreach programs to public schools in Columbia and Charleston. Dr. Robert Jesselson, Carolina Distinguished Professor, will be joining them on cello to play the famous Schubert Cello Quintet during a free recital on Sunday, November 24.
Recently named the Blodgett Quartet-in-Residence at Harvard University, the renowned Parker Quartet includes members Daniel Chong and Ying Xue, violin; Jessica Bodner, viola; and Kee-Hyun Kim, cello.
The Boston Globe praised the Quartet’s “pinpoint precision and spectacular sense of urgency.” The New York Times hailed them as “something extraordinary.” The Quartet began touring on the international circuit after winning the Concert Artists Guild Competition and the Grand Prix and Mozart Prize at the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition in France. Chamber Music America awarded the quartet the prestigious biennial Cleveland Quartet Award for the 2009-2011 seasons. In 2012 the Parker Quartet was the recipient of a Chamber Music America commissioning grant, enabling the ensemble to commission and premiere Capriccio, an hour-length work by American composer Jeremy Gill. Performance highlights from recent seasons include appearances at Carnegie Hall, 92nd Street Y, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Library of Congress, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Wigmore Hall in London, Musikverein in Vienna, Monte Carlo Spring Festival, Seoul Arts Center, Rockport Chamber Music Festival, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festspiele in Germany, and San Miguel de Allende Festival in Mexico.
The residency will resume in 2014 with a return of the Quartet in March and October 2014. Among the March programs and outreach, the Quartet will coach eight high school quartets during a special Chamber Music Day at the USC School of Music. Area high school students will get a unique opportunity to work with the world-renowned Parker Quartet through mentoring, intensive coachings and master classes, leading to a performance and competition that evening.
Donors to USC Chamber Music (minimum donation of $50 per person) can attend the Nov. 19 Champagne Reception, the November 19 concert at no charge, and a private reception with the artists on Nov. 24. Call Teah Weiss at 803-777-4006 for more information.
Chamber Residency Concerts and Events:
Tuesday, November 19, 6:00 p.m.
Donors’ Champagne Reception Sponsored by Friends of the USC School of Music.
Tuesday, November 19, 7:30 p.m. Chamber Innovista: Parker Quartet Concert School of Music Recital Hall (813 Assembly Street Columbia, S.C. 29201) Program: Schubert “Quartettsatz”; Adès “Arcadiana”; Beethoven Op.127 Adults $15; senior citizens and students $5. Capitol Tickets: www.capitoltickets.com, Koger Box Office, or 803-251-2222.
Sunday, November 24, 5:00 p.m. Parker Quartet Recital FREE USC cello professor, Robert Jesselson, joins the Parker Quartet for this concert. Program: Mendelssohn Op.44 No. 1 D Major; Schubert Cello Quintet School of Music Recital Hall (813 Assembly Street Columbia, S.C. 29201)
Sunday, November 24 (following the concert) Meet the members of the Parker Quartet at a private reception. For donors to USC Chamber Music. Call Teah Weiss at 803-777-4006 for more information.
Chamber Residency Coaching and Master Classes: Coaching and master classes are free and open to the public.
Wednesday, November 20
1:25 – USC chamber groups coaching
School of Music Recital Hall (813 Assembly Street Columbia, S.C. 29201)
Friday, November 22
7:30 - Master Class School of Music Recital Hall (813 Assembly Street Columbia, S.C. 29201)
Saturday, November 23
2:00 – 4:00 Coaching USC chamber groups
School of Music Recital Hall (813 Assembly Street Columbia, S.C. 29201)
Monday, November 25
1:10 - Individual instrument master classes for violin, viola and cello.
School of Music building
Chamber Residency Outreach:
Wednesday, November 20
Outreach to Columbia public schools: Chapin High School and Blythewood High School
Thursday, November 21
Outreach to Charleston School of the Arts
Saturday, November 23
10:00 “Informance” for Suzuki at USC and USC String Project children
School of Music Recital Hall (813 Assembly Street Columbia, S.C. 29201)