The Ancora String Quartet is a string quartet based in Madison, Wisconsin. The quartet was founded in Madison in 2000. Its musicians studied at some of the leading music schools in the United States, including the New England Conservatory of Music, the Eastman School of Music, the Indiana University School of Music, and the University of Texas-Austin; they also serve as members of the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, the Madison Bach Musicians, and other groups.Ancora String Quartet website
Members
The current members of the Ancora String Quartet are:
Wes Luke, first violin Robin Ryan, second violin Marika Fischer Hoyt, viola Dr. Benjamin Whitcomb, cello
Former members of the quartet include Leanne Kelso League, Laura Burns, Cynthia Bittar, and Eleanor Bartsch (first violin) and Susan Bestul (cello).
History
The Ancora String Quartet became the String Quartet In Residence at the First Unitarian Society of Madison in 2006. They established a recital season there, garnering praise from music critics.Jacob Stockinger, "Ancora String Quartet, First Unitarian Join Hands", Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin), September 21, 2006, RHYTHM, Pg. 20Jacob Stockinger, "Ancora String Quartet Opens Season in Style", Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin), September 13, 2007, RHYTHM, Pg. 20 They have also appeared twice on Wisconsin Public Radio's Sunday Afternoon Live From the Chazen series, broadcast live statewide, on Jan. 14, 2007 and April 6, 2008.Wisconsin Public Radio's 2006-2007 "Sunday Afternoon from the Chazen" series. Retrieved on 2008-12-04
In September 2008 the Ancora String Quartet launched its 2008-2009 Critics' Choice Season, featuring recital programs selected especially for the quartet by local music critics.Lindsay Christians, "Ancora Quartet Lets the Critics Choose", Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin), September 12, 2008, LIFESTYLE
Notes
External links Ancora String Quartet website Review by John Barker in Isthmus The Ancora String Quartet pit Beethoven vs. Tchaikovsky Article by Sandy Rucker-Tabachnick in Isthmus Local chamber groups thrive as the classical music world downsizes Audio recording of an interview with the Ancora String Quartet on Wisconsin Public Radio's program The Midday (May 25, 2007).