When was the last time you sat down and listened to a string quartet peforming right in front of you?  Well, your chance is here.  The Aiana String Quartet will begin a series of concerts at the Austin Public Library next Friday, February 10th.  This first concert will be at the Central location, starting at 4:00.  It will be your opportunity to feel beautiful music wafting around you, performers sitting mere feet away from you, near enough to see close up the spirited lifelong concentration of this quartet and their instruments.  The Aiana String Quartet are a foursome of young people who have just been appointed as the Young Professional Quartet in Residence at the University of Texas at Austin. 

The University of Texas Butler School of Music selects an ensemble each year to participate in their Young Professional String Quartet in Residence program.  The benefits of being a Quartet in Residence:

One advanced, pre-professional ensemble will be selected by audition this spring to study for a two-year period with the Miró Quartet, earning a Masters Degree. Each student will receive sufficient support to cover full tuition plus $5,000 for living expenses. The program provides an intense musical working relationship with the Miró Quartet as well as advice on managements, music business and networking. Time and support will also be provided for preparation for competitions and professional quartet engagements. A CD recording opportunity will also be available along with numerous performances around Texas. 

What a prestegious honor this quartet has received. 

The quartet will be performing two pieces, one from Mozart, the other from Ravel.  You can do a little research on these two fine composers using one of our favorite databases, Biography in Context.  You can also browse the 780s at any of the branches and see if there are any other composers that catch your eye.  The 780s contain books all about music.

Please join us in welcoming this group to Austin and the Austin Public Library by attending one of their performances.  I have a feeling you will not be disappointed.  If you're not able to join us, you can watch the quartet perform these two pieces here and here.