The American Prize in Chamber Music Performance Announces Winners

Founded in 2010, the American Prize awards ensembles within the professional, college/university, and high school divisions

The college/university division first prize went to Quartet Granitique of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Formed at the University of Michigan in 2018, Quartet Granitique is composed of violinist Ivan Suminski, cellist Hanna Rumora, clarinetist Leo Kim, and pianist Yuting Ma.

Taking their name from a marking in Messiaen’s “Quatuor pour la fin du temps,” Quartet Granitique has performed at the Kerrytown Concert House’s “Mad About Chamber Music Series” as well as at the TV broadcast Bloomfield Hills Library’s chamber music series.

The quartet was awarded second place in the 2021 MTNA String Chamber Music Competition and has performed in masterclasses for Nico Muhly and Timothy McAllister. Their coaches include Amy Cheng, Matt Albert, Willam King, and Andrew Jennings.

Second place in the college/university division was a tie between the Barnes Duo andDuo Schembri-Gallagher. Third place was also a tie, betweenSiren Duo and Connessa.

The professional division awarded first prize to the Pan Pacific Ensemble. Second prize was given to Salon Trio and Volante Winds, while third place was awarded to the Rawlins Piano Trio and the Dunamis Piano Duo.

The high school division named H.B. Plant HS Trumpet Ensemble as its first prize. Second place went to S.E.A. Reed Trio and third prize was tied between The Sparks String Quartet and The Brook Duo.