For more than 30 years, the Kronos Quartet has expanded the
definition of the string quartet. Working with many of the
world’s most creative and adventurous composers, the Quartet
has aggressively sought to commission and perform new works,
resulting in significant growth of the repertoire with more than
500 new works and arrangements for string quartet. For this
workshop, Kronos coaches four young quartets on works
written for it by composers including Steve Reich, Franghiz
Ali-Zadeh, Alexandra du Bois, and John Zorn, passing along its
own firsthand experiences of commisioning and performing
new works. At the end of the workshop, the four quartets wil
perform a concert in Zankel Hal on April 28.
Since the founding ofthe group in 1973, the Kronos Quartet—David Harington
and John Sherba(violins), Hank Dutt (viola), and Jeffrey Zeigler (cello)—has pursued
a singular artistic vision, combining a spirit of fearless exploration with a committment
to expanding the range and context of the string quartet. In the process,
Kronos has become one of the most celebrated and influential ensembles of our
time, performing thousands of concerts worldwide, releasing more than 40 recordings of
extraordinary breadth and creativity, and commissioning hundreds of works
and arrangements for string quartet. Kronos has colaborated with artists of myriad
disciplines and styles, including composers Terry Riley, Philip Glass, Morton Feldman,
Sofia Gubaidulina, and Osvaldo Golijov; vocalists ranging from Tom Waits and jazz
legend Betty Carter to Indian “Bollywood” playback singer Asha Bhosle and Malian
rising-star Rokia Traoré; instrumentalists like Chinese pipa virtuoso Wu Man, jazz
guitarist Jim Hall,and Iranian kamancheh (spike fiddle) master Kayhan Kalhor; Beat
poet Allen Ginsberg; choreographers Merce Cunningham and Eikoand Koma; and
many more. Kronos’s work has also garnered numerous awards, includinga Grammy
for Best Chamber Music Performance (2004) and “Musicians ofthe Year” (2003) from
Musical America.
Applications will be accepted for string quartet. Quartet members
must be an average age of 30 or under. Quartets that have been in existence
for two years or more wil be given priority.
There is no tuition for the workshop. For participants from
outside the greater New York metropolitan area, travel and shared-room accommodations
(two participants to a room) will be arranged and paid for by Carnegie Hall.
Please complete the application form and return it with the following:
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A current quartet biography. Please include performing experiences, education/training,
and any other relevant background information.
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A mission statement or a statement of the ensemble’s artistic goals.
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Two letters of recommendation for the quartet. Letrers may be sent separately from
the application either by mail or e-mail to PTW@weilmusicinstitute.org but must
be marked clearly with the workshop name and the ensemble’s name on the front
of the envelope or in the subject line of the e-mail.
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Four copies of audio recordings of three contrasting works or movements.
(Excerpts are not acceptable.) At least one work must have been written within the
last 20 years. Indicate whether recordings are unedited or edited. CDs are strongly
preferred.
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Optional: Additional supporting materials—such as a repertoire list, sample
programs, press kit, photographs, and videos (DVD preferred)—may be included.
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A non-refundable application fee of $40. Payment may be made by check,
money order in US dollars, or credit card. Make check or money order
payable to The Carnegie Hall Corporation. A credit card form is available
online at weilmusicinstitute.org/workshops.
Kronos Quartet Application Form
(940 KB PDF)
All materials must be received by Carnegie Hall no later than
Friday, December 1, 2006.
Applicants will be informed of their workshop status on or about February 15.
All workshop participants must be available April 22–29, including evenings.