Marian Anderson String Quartet
On September 30 , 1989 , the members of the Marian Anderson String Quartet , then known as the Chaminade Quartet , came together ; unaware that they would soon change history . In 1991 , the Quartet won the International Cleveland Quartet Competition , becoming the first African American ensemble in history to win a classical music competition . To highlight this singular achievement the members of the quartet asked permission of the great contralto , Marian Anderson , to use her name as their own . Miss Anderson responded with heartfelt approval and , in a memorable show of gratitude , the Marian Anderson String Quartet played for its legendary namesake and her nephew , conductor James DePriest .
Click HERE to see a video
Lark Quartet
The Lark Quartet continues to delight audiences with its energy , passionate commitment and artistry since its inception in 1985 . The Lark Quartet offers audiences new insights into the art of chamber music through programs that begin with the ensemble virtuosity of the western tradition and continue into recent music from Africa , Asia , Latin America and the Middle East , all while regularly sharing the stage with dynamic collaborators . The Lark has a distinguished tradition of working closely with the country ’ s most celebrated composers and commissioning new works , many of which have become mainstays of the chamber music repertoire .
Click HERE to see a video
4