First Prize Winner, Banff International String Quartet Competition (2010)
Min-Jeong Koh, violin
Sarah Nematallah, violin
Caitlin Boyle, viola
Rachel Desoer, cello
Cecilia String Quartet
Praised for their “extraordinary commitment and maturity” (Montréal Gazette) and “talent, passion and mastery” (Jacques Robert, JR Multimedia), the Cecilia String Quartet is one of Canada’s most exciting young ensembles today. First Prizewinners of the 2010 Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC) and Second Prizewinners of the 2008 Osaka International Chamber Music Competition, they are currently the Graduate Resident String Quartet at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. The quartet has performed for some of the most respected chamber series internationally, such as Music Toronto, La Jolla Music Society in San Diego, ProQuartet in Paris, and for many prestigious summer festivals, such as Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, Juilliard String Quartet Seminar in New York, Stanford Chamber Music Seminar in California, Schleswig-Holstein Chamber Music Festival in Germany, and Aspen Music Festival’s Advanced String Quartet Studies program. Committed to teaching and outreach, the quartet has presented educational programs for elementary and high school students across the United States, Canada, and France. The Cecilia String Quartet takes its name from Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music.
“The most obvious and admirable characteristic of the [Cecilia String] quartet’s style is togetherness. It’s a tight ensemble, across the whole expressive spectrum, with all members equally supporting whatever common cause the moment demands.”
-The Globe and Mail
A rare chance to hear the top prizewinners of two of the world’s most respected international music competitions. Calgary’s Honens International Piano Competition and the Banff International String Quartet Competition combine forces of their respective Laureates for a musical mash-up not to be missed. Dynamic Russian pianist Georgy Tchaidze partners with the delightful Canadian Cecilia String Quartet for an attractive shared program of solo and chamber music. After jamming together in Toronto and rehearsing in residence at The Banff Centre, the collaborators record for Honens Sessions Live in 2011/12 and tour to Kingston, Montreal, New York and Washington D.C.
Press Release (PDF): Prairie Debut 2012/13 Season Touring Artists Win Priceless Instruments from Canada Council
Download Program – January, 2013 (PDF)
Watch: CBC Concerts on Demand
Performance Schedule
Rosthern SK Thursday, September 20/12 at 7:30PM
Presented by Station Arts Centre in Station Arts Centre Theatre
Yorkton SK Friday, September 21/12 at 8:00PM
Presented by Yorkton Arts Council in Anne Portnuff Theatre in Yorkton Regional High School
Estevan SK Sunday, September 23/12 at 2:30PM
Presented by Estevan Arts Council in St. Paul’s United Church
Lloydminster SK Tuesday, September 25/12 at 7:30PM
Presented by Lloydminster Allied Arts Council in Vic Juba Community Theatre, Lakeland College
Brandon MB Friday, September 28/12 at 8:00PM
Presented by The ProSeries, Brandon University School of Music in Lorne Watson Recital Hall
Lacombe AB Sunday, Sept 30/12 at 7:00PM
Presented by Canadian University College in College Heights Church
Fort Saskatchewan AB Thursday, October 4/12 at 7:30PM
Presented by City of Fort Saskatchewan in Shell Theatre, Dow Centennial Centre
Pinawa MB Friday, January 18/13 at 8:00PM
Presented by Eastern Manitoba Concert Association in Pinawa Community Centre
Regina SK Sunday, January 20/13 at 2:00PM
Presented by Regina Musical Club in Riddell Centre, University of Regina
Performance dates and venues are subject to change. Schools shows, workshops & master classes may be scheduled in addition to these concerts. Please contact the local presenter to confirm performance details.
Download Performance Poster [PDF]