The fund will provide lasting financial support for the quartet and help towards commissioning new works, connecting with communities and ‘futureproofing string quartet music’ in Australia
The Australian String Quartet (ASQ) has launched a AUD15,000,000 (£7.8 million) ‘Future Fund’, with already AUD4.725 million (£2.4 million) pledged, including AUD4 million (£2.1 million) from a lead donor.
The fund will secure the long-term future of string quartet music in Australia and act as lasting financial support for the quartet.
The ASQ outlines four specific goals for the fund: ’Sustain artistic excellence by protecting time, continuity and artistic freedom required for four exceptional musicians to rehearse, explore and grow together’; champion new Australian works; connect communities through music and reach new audiences; and ’futureproof string quartet music’ by embracing new technologies and other projects.
Sheena Boughen OAM, chair of the Australian String Quartet, said: ’Our responsibility goes beyond the need to be successful during our tenure. It’s to leave the ASQ stronger for those who come after us. Stronger for musicians, for audiences, for our community.’
The ASQ comprises violinists Dale Barltrop and Francesca Hiew, violist Chris Cartlidge and cellist Michael Dahlenburg. Founded in 1985, it has performed extensively across Australia, as well as internationally, and championed chamber music by Australian composers such as Peter Sculthorpe, Brett Dean and William Barton. The group is quartet-in-residence at Adelaide University’s Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts. The musicians all play instruments by Guadagnini, dated from 1743-84.
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