Magellan String Quartet
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The Magellan String Quartet is in residence at
University in Statesboro, Georgia. In addition to the Quartet's
responsibilities at Georgia Southern University, its members serve as
principal strings of the Augusta (GA) Symphony.
Ryan Kho, violin
Jonathan Aceto, violin
Carl Purdy, viola
Ruth Berry, cello
The Magellan String Quartet (established in 1990) has an active
performing schedule between its own chamber music series and many visiting
artist series throughout the Southeast. The Quartet is also regularly
engaged for educational concerts, lecture recitals, master-classes and
community outreach programs. It has performed at diplomatic functions for
ambassadors, state governors, and city mayors. The Quartet members are
currently on the approved touring roster of the Georgia Council for the
Arts and the South Carolina Arts Council. |
The Magellan String Quartet has established a chamber music competition
for high school students, has coached for ASTA chamber music clinics, and
performed for students at the Georgia Governor's School.
The Quartet performs an extensive range of repertoire which includes
complete cycles of celebrated composers (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and
Brahms), as well as stylistically diverse programs such as "The Evolution
of the String Quartet" (movements from landmark compositions by Haydn,
Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Dvorak, Debussy, Bartok and Wynton
Marsalis).
The Quartet has commissioned and premiered works to enthusiastic
audiences by Georgia Southern University composer Michael Braz: By George
! and Diamonds from the Duke are compositions commemorating the centennial
celebrations of George Gershwin's and Duke Ellington's birthdays;
Bluescape is a portrait of famous blues artists, featuring the "Statesboro
Blues by regional musician "Blind Willie" McTell.
Other commissions and premieres include A Spiritual Fantasy by Michael
Braz (composed in honor of the 200th anniversary of the founding of
Springfield Baptist Church - one of the first churches formed by freed
slaves as well as the original home of Morehouse College). The Quartet
has premiered several works by Clyde Tipton, Professor of Music at Georgia
College and State University (most recently his String Quartet No. 5 in
1998). The Magellan String Quartet also premiered the String Quartet in a
minor by Charles Loeffler, which was edited and reconstructed for the
quartet by Bruce Gbur, University of Georgia.
Performances by the Quartet are often broadcast state-wide on Georgia
Public radio, and have received high acclaim, bringing well-deserved
recognition to this fine String Quartet.
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