The Chicago Harp Quartet is heading to the 2014 Fischoff Competition to compete in the Quarter Final round, which takes place on May 9 in South Bend, Ind. This marks the first time an ensemble comprised solely of harpists will compete in the prestigious chamber music competition.
The Fischoff Competition is the largest chamber music competition in the world; each year approximately 125 ensembles vie to compete in the live final rounds. Approximately 36 ensembles will attend the three-day competition on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, in Sound Bend. The Quarter Finals take place on May 9, followed by the Semi-finals on Saturday, May 10, and Finals on Sunday, May 11. The competition is open to the public and free to attend with the exception of the Awards and Grand Prize Concert (tickets required). The grand prize is a Double Gold Tour—featuring the Gold Medalists from both the Wind and String Division of the competition—which includes concerts, masterclasses, workshops, and children’s programs around the Midwest. A total of $34,000 in prize money is also awarded.
The Chicago Harp Quartet is comprised of Cathy Litaker, Emily Ann Granger, Julie Spring, and Marguerite Lynn Williams, who also arranges for the group. Watch for their blogs about the competition onharpcolumn.com, and look for their published arrangements atharpcolumnmusic.com.
