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September 6-10, 2023 | George McKay String QuartetS
Bastyr Chapel (MAP)
Seattle, Washington
George Frederick McKay was a prolific composer, born a year after Gershwin, whose music contains a vigorous blend of influences, including Civil War era folk songs sung to him by his grandparents; old fiddlers' tunes handed down in his family; Northwest Native American songs and dances, and avant-garde satire from the Seattle urban scene. The Formosa Quartet will record 4 of his reflective, playful, and intricate string quartets with Seattle’s David Sabee as producer.
October 22-29, 2023 | UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, Moores School of Music
Houston, Texas (MAP)
This Fall 2023, the Formosa Quartet begins their new appointment as Quartet-in-Residence of the Moores School of Music and the Kathrine McGovern College of the Arts at the University of Houston. FQ returns for more exploration of old and new music with UH. Masterclasses, performances, string orchestra collaborations, open rehearsals, and workshops will be included in the week’s activities!
October 26, 2023 @ 7:30 PM | Asia Society Texas Center
Houston, Texas (MAP)
The Formosa Quartet is thrilled to collaborate with award-winning composer and longtime FQ-friend Shih-Hui Chen, Nanguan pipa and theater artist Mei-Hui Wei, the Asia Society Texas Center, and TECO Houston for this fascinating look into traditional Nanguan music. Audience members are invited to join the composer and performing artists at a post-concert reception.
Lecture: Shih-Hui Chen compares instrumental Nanguan & vocal Nanguan
Performance:
Shih-Hui Chen: Plum Blossom
Shih-Hui Chen: A Plea to Lady Cheng’e
* * *
Lecture: Shih-Hui Chen compares Returning Souls film & Returning Souls quartet
– with film excerpts and quartet demo
Performance:
Shih-Hui Chen: Returning Souls
October 28, 2023 @ 2:00 PM | Blaffer Art Museum
Houston, Texas (MAP)
Haydn: String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Fifths
Nanguan Workshop: Mei-Hui Wei (Pipa, Vocalist) & Shih-Hui Chen (composer)
Shih-Hui Chen: A Plea for Lady Chang’e
—Formosa Quartet & Mei-Hui Wei (pipa, vocal)
* * *
Dvořák: String Sextet in A Major, Op. 48
—Formosa Quartet, Amber Archibald (viola), Eunghee Cho (cello)
The Formosa Quartet returns to the award-winning Blaffer Art Museum, which serves as “a catalyst for creative innovation, experimentation, and scholarship” at the University of Houston, for a special collaboration with Taiwanese Nanguan pipa player, Mei-Hui Wei. Their program includes music by Shih-Hui Chen, Joseph Haydn, and Dvorak. In line with the Blaffer Art Museum’s mission to present free exhibitions and programs to the public, create community through dialogue and participation, and inspire an appreciation for the visual arts as a vital force in shaping contemporary culture; this concert by the Formosa Quartet will be free and open to the public.
December 3, 2023 @ 3:00 PM | Philadelphia Chamber Music Society
American Philosophical Society (MAP)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Haydn: String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, Fifths
Formosa Quartet Set*
—Formosa Quartet
Dvorák: String Sextet in A Major, Op. 48
— Formosa Quartet, Hsin-Yun Huang, viola; Peter Wiley, cello
*The Formosa Quartet Set is an assortment of shorts from the FQ’s collection of folk, pop, jazz, and poetry arrangements. Curated especially for each concert, our Set is like a flight of desserts after a main course, offering a chance for audiences to “let their hair down,” tap their toes, and enjoy the string quartet medium in somewhat less-conventional contexts. See formosaquartet.com/programs for sample sets.
January 14-20, 2024 | Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan
The Formosa Quartet has been appointed the M. Thelma McAndless Distinguished Professorship in the Humanities by Eastern Michigan University during the 2023-2024 season. In this 1st of 2 onsite residency weeks, we look forward to collaborating with various areas of the university, engaging with their students and faculty in a thoughtful exploration of the American Mirror Project, a deeply personal undertaking that examines perceptions and assumptions about American culture through the lens of music and the performing arts. All residency activities are open and free to the general public. Visit tiny.emich.edu/mcandless for more information.
January 16, 2024 @ 11:30 AM | Meet and Greet with the Formosa Quartet
Strong Hall Atrium (MAP), Eastern Michigan university
Ypsilanti, MIchigan
In the first of seven free events, meet the members of the Formosa Quartet (EMU’s 2023-2024 M. Thelma McAndless Distinguished Professorship in the Humanities), learn about their “American Mirror Project”, and hear them perform a selection of tunes from their upcoming concert on January 20. Visit tiny.emich.edu/mcandless for more information.
January 17, 2024 @ 6:30 PM | McAndless STAR LECTURE SERIES PRESENTS "AN AMERICAN ROADMAP" BY THE FORMOSA QUARTET
HONORS COLLEGE, Trinity AUDITORIUM (MAP)
Ypsilanti, Michigan
In this special McAndless Lecture presented by Eastern Michigan University’s Honors College Star Lecture Series, join the Formosa Quartet on a musical tour of America. From the blues to bluegrass to jazz to Motown, the Formosa Quartet will discuss the historical context behind musical selections as well as the group’s own journey in developing the American Mirror Project inspired by Derek Skye’s work of the same name. The American Mirror Project, which examines perceptions and assumptions about American culture through the lens of music and the performing arts, seeks to hold an honest mirror up to America through thought-provoking and dynamic musical performances. Thanks to the generous support of private donors and the Provost's Office of Eastern Michigan University, admission is free.
Visit tiny.emich.edu/mcandless for more information.
January 18, 2024 @ 12:00-12:50 PM | Thursday Noon Recital: Open Rehearsal with the Formosa Quartet
Alexander Recital Hall (Room 110) (MAP)
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Curious how an award-winning chamber music ensemble works behind-the-scenes? How do they dissect a piece of music and prepare for a concert? Come see the Formosa Quartet prepare for their American Mirror Project concert on January 20 followed by a Q&A. Visit tiny.emich.edu/mcandless for more information.
January 18, 2024 @ 1:00 PM | Open Rehearsal with the Formosa Quartet and the EMU Symphony Orchestra
HONORS COLLEGE, Trinity AUDITORIUM (MAP)
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Join the Formosa Quartet and EMU Strings as they prepare works by Rhiannon Giddens and Charles Singleton for their American Mirror Project concert on January 20. Visit tiny.emich.edu/mcandless for more information.
January 18, 2024 @ 7:00 PM | A Night of Dreams: Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Concert
Pease Auditorium (MAP)
Ypsilanti, Michigan
The Formosa Quartet is honored to perform in Eastern Michigan University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration concert, which will present performances by EMU students, staff, alumni, and community members. Visit tiny.emich.edu/mcandless for more information.
January 19, 2024 @ 1:00 PM | Open Rehearsal with the Formosa Quartet and the EMU Choir
HONORS COLLEGE, Trinity AUDITORIUM (MAP)
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Come see the Formosa Quartet and EMU Choir prepare a selection of gospel tunes arranged by the quartet for their American Mirror Project concert on January 20. Visit tiny.emich.edu/mcandless for more information.
January 20, 2024 @ 7:30 PM | “THE AMERICAN MIRROR PROJECT | An YPSILANTI Mirror”
HONORS COLLEGE, Trinity AUDITORIUM (MAP)
Ypsilanti, Michigan
The Formosa Quartet presents “The American Mirror Project | An Ypsilanti Mirror” as part of their socio-culturally probing project. This program explores the richness of Ypsilanti, Michigan—the land of the Anishinaabe or “original people,” the city’s deep gospel traditions and its role as a major stop on the Underground Railroad to the present day mirrors contributed by members of the Eastern Michigan University community. This program will include the world premiere of Dana Wilson’s “Mirror for String Quartet and Narration” featuring text contributed by and spoken by EMU Student and Faculty members.
Attendees can meet the artists at the post-concert reception. Thanks to the generous support of private donors, the College of Arts & Sciences, and the Provost's Office of Eastern Michigan University, admission is free.
Parking will be free for patrons in the Pease Guest Lot. Enter off Perrin.
February 18-25, 2024 | UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, Moores School of Music
Houston, Texas (MAP)
Some of the Formosa Quartet’s topmost highlights of the year are our weeks at the University of Houston, collaborating with the amazing students and string faculty there, exploring new projects, exchanging ideas, and continuing the never-ending dialog about the relevance of our work and its sociocultural ramifications and responsibilities. Residency activities open to the general public will be posted shortly.
March 10, 2024 @ 2:00 PM | Anna ClynE’s Dance with Michigan Philharmonic— 🚨POstPONED🚨
First United Methodist Church (MAP)
Plymouth, Michigan
Deborah Pae performs British composer, Anna Clyne’s soaring, dynamic, and rhapsodic “Dance for Cello and Orchestra" (2019) with the Michigan Philharmonic and their dynamic Music Director and Conductor, Nan Washburn. The program also offers Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beloved “Symphony No. 5” along with the lighthearted overture to Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte”.
🚨 Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ms. Pae is unable to appear this weekend but she eagerly looks forward to performing the Clyne Concerto with Maestra Washburn and the Michigan Philharmonic on a future date.
April 1-6, 2024 | Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan
In this second week of onsite residence at EMU as the McAndless Distinguished Professor Chair, the Formosa Quartet continues to probe the questions posed by our American Mirror Project as we offer a week of workshops, open rehearsals, panel discussion, and performances revolving around our American Mirror Project.
All events are free and open to the general public.
April 4, 2024 @ 7:30 PM | An American Mirror
McKenny Hall, Ballroom (MAP)
Ypsilanti, Michigan
The Formosa Quartet culminates our residency as the 2023-2024 McAndless Distinguished Professor Chair at Eastern Michigan University with a special concert titled “An American Mirror.” This program encourages audiences to examine common and sometimes narrow assumptions about American music. What defines music as "American"? What does American music sound like? What do American composers look like? This program takes the audience on a journey through the complex, rich history of American music, thus holding a mirror to the sound of America today.
The concert will be followed by a reception hosted by the EMU Foundation.
Parking is free for patrons in the Briggs Parking Lot. Enter off Washtenaw Avenue, just west of the junction with Cross Street.
April 7, 2024 @ 7:30 PM | Kerrytown Concert House
Ann Arbor, Michigan (MAP)
The Formosa Quartet shares our program titled Unexpected and Thrilling with music lovers in Ann Arbor, Michigan! The first half of the program features Beethoven's taut, thrilling, and explosive E minor string quartet, the second from his "Razumovsky" set. The rest of the program is devoted to "A Formosa Quartet Set," an assortment of shorts from the FQ’s collection of folk, pop, jazz, and poetry arrangements. Curated especially for each concert, an FQ Set is like a flight of desserts after a main course, offering a chance for audiences to “let their hair down," tap their toes, and enjoy the string quartet medium in somewhat less-conventional contexts.
Mozart: String Quartet in C major, K. 465 "Dissonance"
A Formosa Quartet Set
April 12, 2024 @ 7:30 PM | Buckingham Salon Series
Chicago, Illinois
This intimate space, located in the bustle of downtown Chicago, overlooks one of the most perfect lakefront views in the city. Nab a front-row seat to enjoy Formosa Quartet’s tonal painting while the surrounding sky and water change color just as dramatically…
🚨 CAPACITY FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL.
April 13, 2024 @ 4:30 PM | THE ACADEMY OF THE MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
Lily Reid Holt Memorial Chapel (MAP)
Chicago, Illinois
The Formosa Quartet is thrilled to be joining the talented students of the Academy of MIC for a masterclass! The Academy is an intensive program for exceptionally gifted pre-college students, offering a rich curriculum of classes and performance opportunities geared towards preparing the nation’s top young musicians for the next chapters of their lives. Led by Executive Director Sue Polutnik and Director James Setapen, the Academy draws students from all across the country, some flying over a thousand miles weekly to attend.
April 29-May 12, 2024 | RETURN by Formosa quartet
Malaysia and Taiwan
After several years of pandemic-related postponements, the Formosa Quartet eagerly looks forward to our concert tour in Taiwan. One of our favorite places to play, celebrate, dine, breakfast, snack, hang, laugh, walk, relax, and seven. Yes, you can use seven as a verb.
重返─福爾摩沙四重奏
Return-Formosa Quartet
04 May 2024 Permaisuri Zarith Sophia Opera House, Malaysia
07 May 2024 National Central University
08 May 2024 NYCU Performing Hall
10 May 2024 Pingtung Performing Arts Center
11 May 2024 National Recital Hall, Taipei
May 17-26, 2024 | Maui Chamber Music Festival
Maui, Hawaii
The Formosa Quartet returns to the Maui Chamber Music Festival where we cannot wait to make music with our dear friends and music directors, Yizhak Schotten and Katherine Collier, and rockstar musician colleagues from all over the country. Festival dates and venues will be posted shortly.
June 2-9, 2024 | Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival
Houston, Texas
The Formosa Quartet looks forward to spending a week at the Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival. Over three decades, TMF has brought Classical music’s rising stars to Houston for intensive study and exceptional performance. As Houston’s premier summer music festival and school, we look forward to working intensively with these young musicians and performing alongside TMF’s world class faculty artists.
June 16-30, 2024 | National Youth Orchestra of Canada
Kingston, OntariO
The String Quartet and Chamber Music Seminar at the National Youth Orchestra of Canada is an integral part of Formosa Quartet’s educational mission. FQ looks forward to returning to Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario in 2024!