Notre Dame, IN (June 4, 2024) – Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition alumni, Thalea String Quartet, the Quartet-in-Residence at the Fischoff Chamber Music Summer Intensive, will be performing an inspiring concert of chamber music with Guest Artist Faculty, Kevin Kwan Loucks, piano, at the Little Theatre at Saint Mary’s College on Wednesday, June 12, at 7:00 PM. The program includes Haydn’s “Sunrise” String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4, Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector by Terry Riley, Something Golden by Andrew Yee, and Piano Quintet in A minor by Edward Elgar. Inspired by the natural world, this concert will embark on an exploration of internal and external emotional and musical landscapes.

This concert is part of the 2024 Fischoff Chamber Music Summer Intensive Concert Series, taking place from June 10 through June 14 at and in partnership with Saint Mary’s College. In its 2nd Summer Intensive, Fischoff brings together young musicians and renowned professionals in a five-day intensive program of chamber music study, masterclasses, workshops, solo and ensemble performances, and community engagement opportunities.

“Thalea never failed to deliver a stirring performance” (Calgary Herald).

The Thalea String Quartet brings their signature vibrancy and emotional commitment to dynamic performances that reflect the past, present, and future of the string quartet repertoire while celebrating diverse musical traditions from around the world. Thalea String Quartet has performed across North America, Europe, and China, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center, Massey Hall, and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall. Winners of the 2018 Senior Division Bronze Medal and the 2021 Ann Divine Educator Award from the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the members of the Thalea String Quartet have been celebrated for their innovative approach to education and community engagement. The Thalea String Quartet has presented masterclasses and workshops at institutions across North America, including the Berkelee College of Music, the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, and San Francisco State University.

Pianist Kevin Kwan Loucks enjoys a multifaceted career as international concert artist, educator, and arts entrepreneur. He has been described as “impeccable” (La Presse, Montreal), “a shining talent” (Völser Zeitung, Italy), and “a pianist of exhilarating polish, unity and engagement” (The Orange County Register, California). He has earned ovations from Weill Recital Hall and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, to Prösels Castle in Italy, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Kennedy Center, Kumho Art Hall and Seoul Arts Center in South Korea, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, and Prague’s Lichtenstein Palace. He has been featured on National Public Radio, CBC Radio 2, Classical KUSC, the Public Broadcasting Service, KABC-TV Los Angeles, and the Korean Broadcasting System, and was a top prize winner at the Schlern International Competition in Italy, the International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition in Boston, the Beverly Hills International Auditions in Los Angeles, and the American Prize in Performance. In 2021, he was appointed CEO of Chamber Music America, the national service organization for the small ensemble field, and has been serving as Fischoff Competition honorary chair since 2023. As faculty at Fischoff’s Summer Intensive, Loucks will also present a workshop on entrepreneurship and lead several “lunch and learn” conversations with camp students.

Fischoff’s Chamber Music Summer Intensive is generously made possible by lead sponsor
Community Foundation St. Joseph County along with Saint Mary’s College and South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras. Visit Fischoff.org for more information on our concert series and to discover other exciting performances.

Website Event:
https://www.fischoff.org/event/thalea-string-quartet-with-kevin-kwan-loucks-piano/

Facebook Event:
https://www.facebook.com/share/Fn6JUBnn9AJzaMRw/

Contact: Geena Kame, Summer Intensive Director
geena@fischoff.org
www.fischoff.org

ABOUT FISCHOFF
Founded in South Bend, IN, in 1973, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association hosts the Fischoff Competition, the largest and longest running chamber music competition in the nation. More than 8,200 musicians have participated, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education. This unique arts organization has secured its place as the nation’s premier educational chamber music competition because of the caliber of its jurors, performance venues and well-known alumni. It is also known for extensive outreach programming during the competition and throughout the year. The Fischoff uniquely partners with competition alumni to bring free, innovative music programs directly to children in their own schools and community centers. Since 1995, these programs have served more than 100,000 community children, reaching more than 4,000 underserved youth annually.