Ulysses Quartet takes grand prize at Fischoff Competition
The Ulysses String Quartet has been named the Grand Prize-winner of this year's Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. The group is home to YSM alumnus Colin Brookes '13 MM, '14 AD, as well as 2010 Norfolk alumna Grace Ho.
As grand prize-winners as well as gold medalists in the Senior String Division, the group will take part in a Winner's Tour of the Midwestern United States this fall; they also took home a total of $11,000 in cash prizes.
More about Colin
Violist Colin Brookes delights in drawing audiences into his warm and colorful sound world. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, his work as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher has taken him to cities across the United States, Europe, and Central America. Colin started studying viola at age 5. He studied with Pittsburgh Symphony violist Marylene Gingras-Roy for 8 years prior to attending the Juilliard School. Colin holds a Bachelor of Music from the Juilliard School, and a Master of Music and Artist Diploma from Yale School of Music.
More about the Quartet
The Ulysses String Quartet was founded in summer of 2015. Hailing from Canada, the United states, and Taiwan, members have performed in prestigious halls such as Esterházy Palace, Carnegie Hall, and the Taiwan National Concert Hall. Their exciting first season together has included concertizing with the Halcyon, Listen Closely and Massivemuse Series. Ulysses Quartet has a partnership with Groupmuse and headlines their major concerts. Members perform on instruments and bows graciously on loan from the Canada Council of the Arts Instrument Bank and the Maestro Foundation The name 'Ulysses' pays homage to Homer's hero Odysseus and his ten year voyage home. Additionally, the quartet's base in Washington Heights, New York City, lies in close proximity to the resting place of former U.S. president Ulysses S. Grant. The Ulysses Quartet believes intensely in the power of music to inspire, enlighten, and bring people together. They are committed to sharing this passion by increasing access and appreciation for classical music while enhancing audience engagement. To this end, the quartet offers interactive programs and workshops for all ages that demystify traditional repertoire while introducing new and exciting works. Their programs invite participants to learn about the inner workings of the string quartet, and explore connections that music makes with our world today, through the rich history of its creation.
