11th Annual Coltman Competition Winners

Trio Sponte:  1st Place and Senior Division Grand Prize
Boston, Massachusetts

Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) | Piano Trio No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 66
I. Allegro energico e con fuoco

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) | Piano Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 1, No. 1
I. Allegro, II. Adagio cantabile

Trio Sponte is a dynamic ensemble whose members attend the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts. The trio started playing together at the Taos School of Music during the summer of 2023 and were drawn to each other’s artistry and passion for music. They decided to continue their music-making throughout the next year in Boston. Trio Sponte is currently a 2023-24 Honors Ensemble at New England Conservatory, and will perform a recital in Jordan Hall in early May of 2024.

Nick Hammel, violin | Yi-I Stephanie Yang, cello | Charles Berofsky, piano

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Pneum:  2nd Place
Bloomington, Indiana

Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) | Quartet No. 41 in D Major (“The Frog”), Op. 50, No. 6
I. Allegro, II. Poco adagio, III. Menuetto: Allegretto

Sergei Prokofiev (1891–1953) | String Quartet No. 2 in F Major, Op. 92
III. Allegro

The Pneum Quartet is the current student string quartet-in-residence at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Working closely with the members of the Grammy Award-winning Pacifica Quartet, they have had the opportunity to concentrate on string quartet literature while pursuing their respective degrees. Each have been key participants in a wide array of international festival orchestras, including the Verbier Festival Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of the United States, Round Top Festival Orchestra, and the World Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Arthur Trælnes & Gabriel Fedak, violins | Patrick Hayes, viola | John Sample, cello

Apophis Reeds:  1st Place
Austin, Texas

Stacy Garrop (b. 1969) | Rites for the Afterlife
I. Inscriptions from the Book of the Dead, IV. The Field of Reed

Edvard Grieg (1843–1907), arr. Raaf Hekkema | Aus Holbergs Zeit
I. Praeludium, IV. Air, V. Rigaudon

Apophis Reeds is a vibrant reed quintet who are dedicated to showcasing distinctive compositions for reed quintet across the city of Austin. Apophis is named after the Egyptian god of chaos and disorder. The members of Apophis enjoy active teaching and performing careers, which includes performing as members of Austin Symphony, Dallas Winds, and Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra.

Gabriel Grant, oboe | Brendan Fairleigh, clarinet | Connor O’Toole, saxophone | Ryan Stockhausen, bass clarinet | Jonathan Churchett, bassoon

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LOTUS Quartet:  2nd Place
Tempe, Arizona

Gabriel Pierné (1863–1937) | Introduction et Variations sur une ronde populaire

Joel Love (b. 1982) | In memoriam
I. Threnody, II. Adieu

LOTUS is an award-winning saxophone quartet from Arizona State University. Formed in 2022, they are active in the Phoenix area, giving various community performances year-round. LOTUS is also very active in the chamber music festival and competition circuit. They recently took first prize in the MTNA Chamber Music Winds competition in 2023. The quartet regularly performs a wide variety of styles including classical, jazz, pop, among others. LOTUS strives to connect with the audience to create a positive and unique experience for everyone involved.

GianCarlo Lay, soprano saxophone | Johnathan Lee, alto saxophone | Keegan Ewan, tenor saxophone | Jerick Meagher, baritone saxophone

Aves Trio:  1st Place and Junior Division Grand Prize
San Francisco, California

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) | Piano Trio in G Major, Op. 1, No. 2 
IV. Finale. Presto

Bedrich Smetana (1824–1884) | Piano Trio No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 15
I. Moderato assai

Formed in the fall of 2023, the Aves Trio is coached by Susan Bates and Jeffrey LaDeur from Young Chamber Musicians in Burlingame, California. Their violinist is a student of Zhao Wei, cellist with Eric Sung, and pianist studies under Hans Boepple. The name of the trio, Aves, is Latin for “bird,” symbolizing the free, soaring quality of sound—dynamic in tone and phrasing—that the trio is most inspired by.

Euisun Hong, violin | Huisun Hong, cello | Jacob Rockower, piano

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Feliz Quartet:  2nd Place
Los Angeles, California

Antonín Dvorák (1841–1904) | Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 87
I. Allegro con fuoco

Joaquín Turina (1882–1949) | Piano Quartet in A Minor, Op. 67
I. Lento–Andante mosso

Formed in the fall of 2023, the Feliz Quartet are students of the Colburn School Music Academy pre-college program. The Academy is designed to prepare gifted young artists for conservatory study and careers as well-rounded professional musicians. The quartet is coached by HyeJin Kim and individual quartet members study under Robert Lipsett, Teng Li, Clive Greensmith and Fabio Bidini. The Coltman Competition is the trio’s first opportunity to compete together.

Sophie Leung, violin | Xiuhe Shen, viola | Nathaniel Yue, cello | Warren Hu, piano

Quid Nunc Saxophone Quartet:  1st Place
San Antonio, Texas

William Albright (1944–1998) | Fantasy Etudes
II. Pypes

Traditional | The Dromer

Quid Nunc Quartet is a legacy group who changes members as students graduate within the Ronald Reagan High School band. Quid Nunc is the reigning UIL State Champion and was the 2023 Fischoff National Chamber Music Silver Medalist. The Quartet has been featured at the Midwest Clinic, NPR’s From the Top, and countless state and national competitions. Quid Nunc has won the Grand Prize at the Coltman Competition and the placed at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Quid Nunc is coached by Greg White, Director of Bands at Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas.

Andrew Diaz, soprano saxophone | Joshua Furtek, alto saxophone | Gabe Garnier, tenor saxophone | Noah Vu, baritone saxophone

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Astraea Quartet:  2nd Place
Austin, Texas

Guillermo Lago (b. 1960) | Ciudades
I. Córdoba (España)

David Maslanka (1943–2017) | Songs for the Coming Day
VIII. The soul is here for its own joy, IX. Song for the Coming Day

The Astraea Quartet (formerly known as Speqtra) was formed in the summer of 2023 and achieved Runner Up Quartet at the Houston Underground Saxophone Competition in 2023. The members have greatly enjoyed putting together engaging chamber music during weekly quartet rehearsals in and outside of school. All members attend Lake Travis High School and are under the instruction of James Sterling.

Quinlan Collins, soprano saxophone | Jacob Ittycheria, alto saxophone | Eli Ward, tenor saxophone | Paige Chirempes, baritone saxophone