Valued at $20,000, this prize aims to inspire and nurture a promising string quartet through tutoring, mentoring, travel and performance opportunities, as well as contact with visiting artists.
This fellowship is a performance development opportunity for a string quartet of exceptional potential. The purpose of this program is to enhance opportunities for artistic development of a promising string quartet.
The Westheimer Quartet Fellowship may include participation in selected coaching, mentorships and developmental opportunities at the Conservatorium or abroad. These opportunities will be constituted in addition to the Conservatorium’s chamber music program under the Westheimer Quartet Performance Program and may include national or international travel for the Westheimer Quartet and/or a residency of a mentor for the Westheimer Quartet at the Sydney Conservatorium.
Previous winners include:
The Westheimer String Quartet program will be supported by AU$ 20,000 for the year. These funds will be available to support a program of performance, tuition, travel and development as appropriate. The performance development program for the period of the fellowship will be determined immediately following selection of the quartet. It will include performances at the Conservatorium in the faculty’s concert series to feature the work of the group as Westheimer String Quartet Fellows during the academic year. In addition to these performances, the quartet may be supported by work with faculty, additional artists, artistic mentors and exceptional visiting artists either resident in Sydney, Australia or invited from overseas.
To be considered for the Fellowship, eligible quartets will need to complete the application form. Applications must be accompanied by links to a video recorded performance (YouTube, Vimeo, etc) of at least 30 minutes including two (or more) movements from a quartet by Haydn and movement(s) from a quartet of choice by a different composer.
The application deadline for this year will be 13 November 2023. The fellowship will be announced on 27 November 2023. Only students who are formally enrolled in either undergraduate or postgraduate degrees at the Conservatorium for both academic semesters of the 2024 academic year are eligible to apply. All students will need to formally commit to participate in the program if successfully selected.
For any general enquiries about the fellowship – please contact goetz.richter@sydney.edu.au.