Argus Quartet Announces Inaugural Composers Institute

The tuition-free institute offers six young composers the opportunity to study, workshop, and collaborate with the Argus Quartet and Artist-Faculty composers David Sanford and Carlos Simon

The institute is for composers aged between 13-18.

While open to all, the institute will offer the majority of positions to BIPOC, female, LGBTQ +, and gender non-conforming composers. Each year, the institute will rotate focus on a single subset, with Artist-Faculty reflecting each year’s focus.

In 2021, the subset focus will be BIPOC composers. The institute will prioritize these applicants.

“One thing the Black Lives Matter movement has taught us is that we have to act radically now. There is no reason and no time to wait to solve these very present problems of access,” said Argus Quartet violist, Maren Rothfritz, in the press release.

“Often, the prevailing attitude for a young quartet is a desire to work with top established composers, but the Argus Quartet recognizes its responsibility to reach in the other direction as well, supporting young adults who would like the opportunity to express themselves through composing.

“The Argus Quartet wants to do all it can to expand who it brings into its community and engage with this future generation of composers.”

Applications close on June 15, 2021.

To apply, visit: https://www.argusquartet.com/composers-institute-application