PSQ and Friends, the 2012-2013 PSQ/LARK Concert Series, represents an affirmation of the work of the Portland String Quartet. Two generations of young musicians have received training and inspiration from Steve, Ron, Julia and Paul. Many of them are now professional musicians, and many are professionals in different fields who continue their love of music-making as a life-long avocation. We salute them all! They have kept us "young" and continue to fill us with confidence in the future.
To open the season on October 28, 2012, PSQ members are joined by long-time collaborator and friend - pianist Cheryl Tschanz. For a performance of the Amy Beach Piano Quintet, members of the PSQ will also be joined by Dean Stein, a violinist of international renown.
Two concerts in this series are presented by young professional ensembles who are making their mark in the contemporary milieu of New York City. Both groups are founded by Maine players who won the PSQ High School Competition and performed with us on this Concert Series.
On December 2, 2012 Cadillac Moon Ensemble, formed by Roberta Michel, a former student of Jean Rosenblum, will present a unique program of newly commissioned works. Since high school, Roberta has received a BM with highest honors from the University of Colorado at Boulder and an MM from SUNY-Purchase. She is currently pursing a doctoral degree from City University of New York. A critic at her Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall debut called her a "solid craftsman" who "riveted with her performance, inspiring one to want a repeated hearing." A grouping of flute, violin, cello and percussion, Cadillac Moon commissions and performs contemporary works that they introduce with passion and commitment.
Karen and Graybert Beacham, colleagues through the years, are eminent performers (clarinet, violin and viola) and teachers. They join us February 3rd in a program of mixed chamber music that culminates with Carl Maria von Weber's Clarinet Quintet.
Violinist Patrick Doane is familiar to PSQ audiences most recently as an integral player in last season's concert The Art of the Fugue by Bach. From Kennebunk, ME, Pat was a student of Ronald Lantz through high school and he attended several of the PSQ's Workshops during their Colby College tenure. He is a graduate of Juilliard and has established a busy teaching and performing schedule in NYC. We welcome his Spelaeus String Quartet to this series March 24th.
We close the concert season April 21st with pianist Laura Kargul (Professor of Music at USM) and a delightful program of masterpieces for piano and strings.
