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Chamber Music's New Wave

Two award-winning young groups that are revitalizing the chamber music experience will kick off the University of Dayton ArtsLIVE program's 55th season this month with performances on campus. This season also marks the first Vanguard Legacy Concert under the umbrella of the ArtsLIVE program.

The season-opening performance by the Zorá String Quartet at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, features one of chamber music’s newest ensembles. Formed just four years ago, the Zorá Quartet has already won major prizes in several music competitions, including a 2015 gold medal at the prestigious Fishchoff National Chamber Music Competition.

The Zorá Quartet performance marks the first Vanguard Legacy Concert. Founded in 1962 and previously a staple of music programming at the Dayton Art Institute, the highly regarded Vanguard series is being continued by the University. Vanguard founder and artistic director Elana Bolling, a resident of both Oakwood, Ohio, and Jupiter, Florida, continues to guide the Vanguard Legacy Concert selections.

Another up-and-coming group, the Akropolis Reed Quintet, will perform as part of the ArtsLIVE series at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21. Founded in 2009 at the University of Michigan, Akropolis earned a 2014 gold medal at the Fischoff competition. The group has released two critically acclaimed studio albums and commissioned more than 25 reed quintet works to date.

Animated by an infectious energy and superb playing, these two ensembles are part of a wave of young musicians who are re-inventing the chamber music experience. While both groups perform staples from the classical repertoire, they are also committed to playing new work by contemporary composers.

Both the Zorá String Quartet and the Akropolis Reed Quintet will perform in the intimate space of the Sears Recital Hall in the Jesse Philips Humanities Center. Parking is free, and Lot C is recommended. Lot C can be accessed via Evanston Avenue off Irving Avenue at the north end of Oakwood.

- Eileen Carr, ArtsLIVE coordinator

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