A new mentoring programme for young string quartets will start this year, in a partnership between the Vogler String Quartet, the Sligo festival Music in Drumcliffe and the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin. The Strings Attached programme is designed for musicians who aspire to play in a professional string quartet.

The deadline for applications is Friday, 5 October. Auditions will take place on 1 November 2012 and applicants should be prepared to make themselves available during a range of dates from 2012 to 2014. Both existing string quartets and individual musicians can apply — new quartets will be formed from successful individual applicants. See here for full information and the application form.

Formed in East Berlin in 1985, the Vogler Quartet includes over 200 works in its repertoire. All four members studied at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler under Eberhard Feltz; the group came to international prominance after winning the International String Quartet Competition in Evian, France, in 1986.

musicindrumcliffe.ie