ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
Clemens Quartet | USA
First Prize Winner
KJ McDonald | Violin | Age 17
Jason Corbin | Violin | Age 16
Patrick Marsh | Viola | Age 17
Alex Mansour | Cello | Age 17
Age Group: Category A
Teacher's Name: Lorenz Gamma
Bartok, String Quartet No.4 1st movement
Beethoven, String Quartet Op.18 No.4 1st movement
Artistic biography
The Clemens Quartet, comprised of KJ McDonald (violin, 17), Jason Corbin (violin, 16), Patrick Marsh (viola, 17) and Alex Mansour (cello, 17) are all from the Los Angeles area and the group was founded during the ninth season of Junior Chamber Music, a vibrant youth chamber music organization of Southern California. Highlights from the Clemens Quartet’s performances include a recent appearance on NPR’s From the Top (aired nationally the week of December 1, 2014 and on KUSC 91.5 FM on Sunday, December 7, 2014) and numerous master classes with renowned artists such as Ralph Kirshbaum, Paul Katz and Ron Leonard. As a group, they won 1st prize in the California VOCE competition (2013) and were semifinalists at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (2014). The Clemens Quartet also actively participates in the community events such as the Daniel Pearl World Music Days Concerts, the “Beethoven Celebration” Project at the Thornton School of Music in the University of Southern California and the 45th NAACP Image Awards Nominee Luncheon in Hollywood, California. All four members regularly participate in various summer festivals such as the Perlman Music Program, the Montecito Summer Music Festival and the Idyllwild Arts Academy. Coached by violinist Lorenz Gamma in Los Angeles, the group has learned a wide-ranging repertoire of the classical, romantic and modern eras.
