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SPSQC

980 Bellows Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55118, United States

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JUNIOR DIVISION
Date: April 12, 2025

 

ELIGIBILITY

The Saint Paul String Quartet Competition (SPSQC) is open exclusively for String Quartets (ensembles comprising 2 violins, viola, and cello). The SPSQC JUNIOR DIVISION is open to U.S. and non-U.S. residents not more than 19 years of age on April 12, 2025, and the person is not enrolled in a college degree program. ​

  • No individual may enter/compete in more than one ensemble.​

  • Quartets invited to perform in the Final Rounds must retain original membership and perform the repertoire submitted in the application.​

  • Competing Quartets may include individuals who have previously won a Gold Medal in different competition years. Previous winners of the Silver and Bronze medals are ALL eligible to compete.

​​

RULES & REGULATIONS

​There are 3 distinct rounds of competition: Selection Round, Haydn & BIMOC or Female Composer Round, and Final Round. 
Applications for the Selection Round must be completed by 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Selection Round (Applications due by 2/19/2025)

The SPSQC Junior Division requires applicants to prepare and upload 3 movements from the string quartet repertoire: One movement from any of Joseph Haydn's string quartets, One movement from the Romantic/Nationalist era, and One Modern/Contemporary string quartet movement. (SEE ALL REPERTOIRE SELECTIONS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS FINALISTS).

​Submitted videos will be reviewed by a quartet of professional string quartet players. Each applicant Quartet will receive detailed written comments in the following categories: Tone Quality, Intonation, Ensemble & Balance, and Musical Ideas. SIX quartets will be invited to compete in the final two rounds on April 12, 2025.

BIMOC/Female Composer Round (4/12/2025)

All selected finalist quartets will perform TBD. Digital sheet music (score & parts) will be sent to each SPSQC finalist group. Performance order will be randomly selected.


Final Round (4/12/2025)

Invited Finalist quartets will perform from their submitted repertoire (no substitutions) in Sundin Music Hall for a live and broadcast audience. Order of performance will be the same as the previous Round.

​The 2025 Final Rounds will be adjudicated by the distinguished Pacifica Quartet.​

 
APPLICATION PROCESS (JUNIOR DIVISION)

All applications must uploaded to the Acceptd Audition Platform by Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Only one member of the Quartet is required to register with Acceptd and submit materials on behalf of the ensemble. 

​1. Login or Create an Acceptd account.
2. Fill in ALL contact information. None of this will be shared outside of the SPSQC organization. 
3. Provide proof of age for each quartet member.
4. Upload a recent high-quality photo of the quartet (Color or BxW). 
5. Upload the following (3) unedited videos:
​​Video 1: One Joseph Haydn string quartet movement.
Video 2: One Romantic/Nationalist string quartet movement,
    OR one movement from Beethoven quartets Op.59, Op.74, or Op.95.
    OR one movement from Schubert quartets Quartetsatz (D.703), A minor (D.804), D minor (D.810),
           or G major (D.887).
Video 3: One Modern/Contemporary string quartet movement. ​

* Questions about Repertoire? Contact Artistic Administrator.​


6. Complete your 2025 SPSQC application by paying the application fee ($160) via credit card.

Applications are due by 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. No exceptions!
If you are having any technical issues contact us before February 19, 2025.


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SENIOR DIVISION
Date: April 26, 2025

ELIGIBILITY

The Saint Paul String Quartet Competition (SPSQC) is open exclusively for String Quartets (ensembles comprising 2 violins, viola, and cello). The SPSQC SENIOR DIVISION is open to U.S. and non-U.S. residents provided the age of each musician in the quartet is not more than 30 years on April 26, 2025. 

  • No individual may enter/compete in more than one ensemble.

  • Quartets invited to perform in the Senior Division Final Rounds must retain original membership and perform the repertoire submitted in the application.

  • Quartets with professional management are not eligible to compete in the SPSQC.

​​

​RULES & REGULATIONS​

There are 3 distinct Rounds of competition: Selection Round, BIMOC/FEMALE COMPOSER Round, and Final Round. 
Applications for the Selection Round must be completed by 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

​Selection Round (Applications due by Wednesday 2/19/2025)

Applicants are required to prepare and submit Two Complete Works of contrasting styles and periods from the standard string quartet repertoire. Email your repertoire selections to SPSQC Artistic Administrator for approval.

Submitted videos will be reviewed by a quartet of professional string quartet players. Each applicant Quartet will receive detailed written comments in the following categories: Tone Quality, Intonation, Ensemble & Balance, and Musical Ideas. FOUR quartets will be invited to compete in the final two rounds on April 26, 2025  

BIMOC/Female Composer Round (4/26/2025)

All finalists quartets will perform TBD. Digital sheet music (score & parts) will be sent to each SPSQC finalist group. Performance order will be randomly selected.

Final Round (4/26/2025)

Each finalist quartet will select and perform a program not to exceed 30 minutes in length using selected movements from their submitted works. Must be approved by Artistic Administrator in advance of the event.

The 2025 Senior Division Final Rounds will be adjudicated by the distinguished Jerusalem Quartet.

​

APPLICATION PROCESS (SENIOR DIVISION)

All applications must uploaded to the Acceptd Audition Platform by Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Only one member of the Quartet is required to register with Acceptd and submit materials on behalf of the ensemble. 

1. Login or Create an Acceptd account.
2. Fill in ALL contact information. None of this will be shared outside of the SPSQC organization. 
3. Provide proof of age for each quartet member.
4. Upload a recent high-quality photo of the quartet (Color or BxW). 
5. Upload the following two unedited videos (Each piece must be performed in their entirety for the video. Repeats are optional):
​Video 1: Unedited video performance of a Standard String Quartet composition
Video 2: Unedited video performance of a Standard String Quartet composition (contrasting from Video 1 in style and period)​


NOTE: Performance videos must adhere to all eligibility requirements, and Ensemble membership must be the same in all videos.
​
6. Complete your 2025 SPSQC application by paying the application fee ($160) via credit card.

Applications are due by 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. No exceptions!
If you are having any technical issues contact us before February 19, 2025.

 
For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.