ENKOR Chamber Music Competition 2014
Dasch Quartet | USA
First Prize Winner
Alastair Wright | soprano saxophone | Age 23
Daniel Arocho | alto saxophone | Age 24
Shawna Pennock | tenor saxophone | Age 27
Chemie Ching | baritone saxophone | Age 24
Age Group: Category B
Teacher: Taimur Sullivan
Jean Rivier, Grave et Presto
David Biedenbender, You've been talking in your sleep
Artistic biography
Formed in 2013 while all studying at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Dasch Quartet has quickly built up an enviable reputation as one of the most exciting emerging quartets in the country. Dasch has been praised by Classical Voice of North Carolina as “breathtaking,” “effervescent” and “relentless”, and by cellist Dmitry Kouzov for a “beautiful performance”. Within their first year as a group, they have won the North Carolina Music Teachers National Association Woodwind Chamber Music competition, as well as the North American Saxophone Alliance National Quartet Competition, the most competitive of its kind in the country.
They were the leading chamber ensemble at UNCSA in 2013/2014 and represented the school throughout North Carolina and Virginia, performing recitals and outreach programs throughout local communities. They have performed frequently to a variety of audiences, from music professionals, to church communities, and to several middle and high schools as part of the University of North Carolina Saxophone Ensemble tour in December of 2013, in which they were featured artists.
Dasch has received grants from UNCSA’s Career Development program and from the Seman’s Art Fund, and after further fundraising through recitals, and through a successful online fundraising campaign, the quartet has recorded its debut album “Necessary Edges” which is due for release in early 2015. This CD features several transcriptions of substantial Romantic String Quartets by Dvorak, Smetana and Puccini.
Currently, Dasch is preparing for an appearance at the World Saxophone Congress in France in July of 2015, where they will be premiering new works, which are being written for Dasch by local composers with whom they are developing strong links.
Dasch is coached by Taimur Sullivan, but has had extra support from Grace Anderson and Connie Frigo.
