First M-Prize celebrates chamber music
The Calidore String Quartet took top honors at the first-ever M-Prize competition, hosted by the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD). The New York City ensemble earned $100,000 for their efforts as well as the opportunity to participate in the University Musical Society’s chamber arts concert series.
Cash prizes totaling $90,000 were also awarded to strings, winds and open category ensembles.
The M-Prize competition was created to identify and showcase the highest caliber of chamber music ensembles in the world. In its first year, it became the largest such contest in terms of prize money and number of applicants. Twenty-nine ensembles, comprising 120 artists, participated in semifinal and final rounds May 18-19, 2016 at U-M. The final rounds were broadcast on Detroit Public Television and made available to other PBS stations.
“We were thrilled with this inaugural year,” said Aaron Dworkin, dean of SMTD and organizer of the event. “We are confident that it will develop audiences and awareness for this genre, which has the potential to play such a vital role in the careers of today’s performing artists.”
Grand prize winners and senior strings winners, the Calidore String Quartet, perform at the grand prize gala. Photo: Daryl Marshke, Michigan Photography.
Grand prize winners and senior strings winners, the Calidore String Quartet, perform at the grand prize gala. Photo: Daryl Marshke, Michigan Photography.
Senior winds division winners, the Kenari Quartet, perform at the grand prize gala. Photo: Daryl Marshke, Michigan Photography.
Senior “open division winners Yarn/Wire perform at the grand prize gala at Hill Auditorium. Photo: Daryl Marshke, Michigan Photography.
Senior “open division winners Yarn/Wire perform at the grand prize gala. Photo: Daryl Marshke, Michigan Photography.
Senior strings winners, the Calidore String Quartet, are announced as the overall competition winners at Hill Auditorium. Photo: Daryl Marshke, Michigan Photography.
Aaron Dworkin, dean of the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance, presents the $100K grand prize award to the Calidore String Quartet at Hill Auditorium. Photo: Daryl Marshke, Michigan Photography.
Grand prize winners, the Calidore String Quartet, left to right: Jeffrey Myers (violin), Estelle Choi (cello), Ryan Meehan (violin), and Jeremy Berry (violin). Photo: Daryl Marshke, Michigan Photography.
