Two scholarship chamber groups named for 2016-17

The School of Music has named two student chamber ensembles—the Corda Quartet and the Evergreen Trio—the top contenders in its 2016 Strings and Piano Chamber Music Competition. The groups will represent the school during the 2016-17 academic year at high profile events on campus and elsewhere. 

The Evergreen Trio, coached by faculty cellist Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir includes Natalie Ham, flute; Vijay Chalasani, viola, and Lauren Wessels, harp. The group presents its UW debut concert on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 and a second on Thursday, May 11, 2017. Both performances are at 7:30 p.m., Brechemin Auditorium.

The Corda Quartet, coached by faculty violist Melia Watras, includes Judith Kim and Heather Borror, violins; Emmeran Pokorny, viola; and Yang Lu, cello. The group presents two UW concerts in 2016-17:  Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, May 27, 7:30 p.m., in Brechemin Auditorium.

 Admission to all four concerts is free.

 Prizewinners received $1,500 per student in scholarship support, a waiver of orchestra requirement during quarters of service, and the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors throughout the 2016-17 academic year. 

"We are pleased to name the Corda Quartet and the Evergreen Trio the official School of Music Scholarship Chamber groups for 2016-17," says Richard Karpen, director of the School of Music. "These talented musicians will be wonderful ambassadors for the School of Music in the coming year and beyond."