Latest News

April 7, 2024

The Arts & Culture Society of Colwood presents the Classical Concert Series. The first concert will feature the Emily Carr String Quartet performing Haydn, Iman Habibi and Borodin. The quaint and historic St. John the Baptist Church offers a unique experience for Classical music fans.

March 13, 2024

This ECSQ album is inspired by the work of Emily Carr. It is through her paintings and her writings that we have gained insight into her life as an artist. It is through music, one of the most abstract art forms, that we can connect ourselves to her. Rhythm can be likened to the movement of brush strokes. Harmony can be described as the pigments of colour chosen to convey the deep, dark and wild nuances of B.C's coastal rainforest. Melody can begin to suggest Emily's connection with the land and the First Nations, with whom she was friends. Through their music on this recording, Iman Habibi, Jared Miller, Jocelyn Morlock and Tobin Stokes have all created their own portrait of Emily Carr. We are excited to share this album of new music inspired by Canada's most iconic female artist.

  • Link to Presto Music
  • March 5, 2024

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "Music Inside Out: Mozart" with host Robert Holliston. They will explore Mozart's string quintet in g minor with young talent Max Francis on viola.

    February 1, 2024

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "Music Inside Out: Borodin" with host Robert Holliston. They will explore Borodin's string quartet no. 2 in D Major.

    November 8, 2023

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present the second concert of their "Portraits" series at Christ Church Cathedral. The concert celebrates the launch of their album "Portraits". The album is a collection of ECSQ commissions featuring works by composers: Tobin Stokes, Jared Miller, Iman Habibi and Jocelyn Morlock. The concert program features: "Three Pieces for String Quartet" by Igor Stravinsky, Tobin Stokes's "Feathers"(ECSQ Commission 2012) and Dimitri Shostakovich's "String Quartet No.3"

    September 20, 2023

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present the first concert of their "Portraits" series at Christ Church Cathedral. The concert features works by: Haydn, Jocelyn Morlock and Osvaldo Golijov. The quartet will be joined by David Boutin-Bourque, the principal clarinet of the Victoria Symphony.

    August 21, 2023

    The Emily Carr String Quartet perform for Quadra Concerts on the 9th of September.

    May 26, 2023

    The Emily Carr String Quartet perform an outdoor concert at Beacon Hill Park's Cameron Bandshell in June.

    April 24, 2023

    The Emily Carr String Quartet continue with the final concert in their Mendelssohn series at the Cathedral. The sixth concert will feature:
    Fanny Mendelssohn-String Quartet in E flat major
    Jennifer Butler-"The End of the World (Or Else the Beginning)"
    with flautist Mark Takeshi McGregor
    Mendelssohn-String Quartet Op. 80 in F Minor.

    Feb 19, 2023

    March 21, 2023

    The Emily Carr String Quartet and host Robert Holliston present "Music Inside Out: Mozart." They will explore Mozart's clarinet quintet with talented young clarinetist Camilo Aybar.

    Feb 19, 2023

    The Emily Carr String Quartet continue with their Mendelssohn series at the Cathedral. The fifth concert will feature:
    Scherzo Op. 81
    Tobin Stokes-selections from "Stories from Klee Wyck"
    String Quartet Op. 44 no. 3 in E flat Major

    Jan 3, 2023

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "Music Inside Out: Haydn" with host Robert Holliston. They will explore Haydn's string quartet Op. 76 no. 3 "The Emperor".

    Jan 3, 2023

    The Emily Carr String Quartet perform at the Pender Island Community Hall on Tuesday, January 24th at 7:30 pm.

    Dec 5, 2022

    The fourth concert in the Emily Carr String Quartet's Mendelssohn series at Christ Church Cathedral takes place on January 27th and features the String Qaurtet in E flat major (1823) and Op. 44 no. 2 in E Minor.

    Oct 16, 2022

    "Tenebrae" by Osvaldo Golijov will replace John Tavener's "The Last Sleep of the Virgin" on the November 18th concert program.

    August 20, 2022

    Now in their 17th season, the Emily Carr String Quartet returns to Christ Church Cathedral for their latest exciting project bridging great classics with contemporary treasures. The series of six concerts will feature all seven of Felix Mendelssohn's completed quartets and four of his shorter works, the String Quartet in E-flat by Fanny Mendelssohn, as well as pieces by contemporary artists from BC and around the world. Featured contemporary composers include Jennifer Butler (Vancouver), Linda Catlin Smith (Toronto), Osvaldo Golijov, and John Tavener.

    May 29, 2022

    The Emily Carr String Quartet presents: "Music Inside Out: Mendelssohn." Guest host Sharon Stanis will explore Felix Mendelssohn with a morning of music and insight into one of the miracles of nineteenth-century music, his brillant string octet. Tea, coffee, and sundries will be served followed by discussion, analysis, and a full performance of Mendelssohn's String Octet in E flat major, Op.20 This performance will feature the Emily Carr String Quartet, Simon MacDonald, violin, Jessica Pickersgill, viola and the talented students of the ECSQ's fourth annual Young Artist Mentorship Program, Layla Park, violin and Nicole Teachman, cello.

    May 4, 2022

    The Emily Carr String Quartet presents: "Music Inside Out: Dvorak." Join the Emily Carr String Quartet and host Robert Holliston as they explore Dvorak's string quartet no. 10 in E flat major, Op. 51, "Slavonic".

    March 15, 2022

    Christ Church Cathedral and the Emily Carr String Quartet are thrilled to be announcing Earth Songs: Music for Climate Justice, their third concert series since their partnership began in 2020.

    This series of six concerts from February to June will feature one of Canada’s top quartets and the cathedral’s Wolff organ played by a lineup of international artists. The series will draw attention to the need for personal action to reverse the climate crisis and will include brief talks from climate focused NPOs and advocates with an opportunity to support. Each concert will focus on a different facet of our relationship with the natural world, aiming to educate, entertain, and inspire change. Learn more at www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/earthsongs.

    "Land", the third concert in this series will feature: "Lament in the Trampled Garden" by Marjan Mozetich (BISQC Commission 2012) and Johannes Brahms, String Quartet no.2 in A minor.

    February 16, 2022

    Christ Church Cathedral and the Emily Carr String Quartet are thrilled to be announcing Earth Songs: Music for Climate Justice, their third concert series since their partnership began in 2020.

    This series of six concerts from February to June will feature one of Canada’s top quartets and the cathedral’s Wolff organ played by a lineup of international artists. The series will draw attention to the need for personal action to reverse the climate crisis and will include brief talks from climate focused NPOs and advocates with an opportunity to support. Each concert will focus on a different facet of our relationship with the natural world, aiming to educate, entertain, and inspire change. Learn more at www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/earthsongs.

    "Water". the second concert in this series will feature: String Quartet no.2 "Waves” by R. Murray Schafer and Claude Debussy, String Quartet in G minor Op. 10.

    January 23, 2022

    Christ Church Cathedral and the Emily Carr String Quartet are thrilled to be announcing Earth Songs: Music for Climate Justice, their third concert series since their partnership began in 2020.

    This series of six concerts from February to June will feature one of Canada’s top quartets and the cathedral’s Wolff organ played by a lineup of international artists. The series will draw attention to the need for personal action to reverse the climate crisis and will include brief talks from climate focused NPOs and advocates with an opportunity to support. Each concert will focus on a different facet of our relationship with the natural world, aiming to educate, entertain, and inspire change. Learn more at www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/earthsongs.

    "Air," the first concert in this series will feature: “The Wind in High Places” by John Luther Adams and the String Quartet in F Major by Maurice Ravel.

    October 28, 2021

    The Emily Carr String Quartet will be performing the ninth and final concert of their Beethoven series at Christ Church Cathedral. The concert will feature string quartets Op. 18 #6 and Op 135.

    October 11, 2021

    The Emily Carr String Quartet will be performing as part of The Old Schoolhouse Arts Centre's "Music on Sunday" concert series.

    September 11, 2021

    The Emily Carr String Quartet and Christ Church Cathedral are pleased to announce that the 8th concert in the Beethoven series will be able to have a live audience.

    August 1, 2021

    The Emily Carr String Quartet and Christ Church Cathedral are pleased to announce that the 7th concert in the Beethoven series will be able to have a live audience.

    July 10, 2021

    The Emily Carr String Quartet and Christ Church Cathedral are pleased to announce that the next concert in the Beethoven series will be able to have a small live audience. A limited number of tickets will be available on a first come first serve basis.

    Concert 6:
    Link to tickets through the Christ Church Cathedral website: https://www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/pages/tickets

    June 12, 2021

    The Emily Carr String Quartet and Christ Church Cathedral are pleased to announce that the next two concerts in the Beethoven series will be able to have a small live audience. A limited number of tickets will be available on a first come first serve basis.

    Links to Tickets through Eventbrite:
    Concert 5:
    4:30pm: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/158628368721
    7:00pm: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/158629530195
    or through the Christ Church Cathedral website: https://www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/pages/tickets
    Concert 6:
    Through the Christ Church Cathedral website: https://www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/pages/tickets

    April 3, 2021

    Following on the resounding success of their Portraits series, the quartet has planned a complete performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s string quartets over nine concerts beginning on March 12 and running into the Fall of 2021. Beethoven’s 250th birthday was to have been marked in 2020 by arts organizations around the world. The Emily Carr String Quartet had planned to present the cycle of Beethoven's complete string quartets in May/June of 2020. Due to Covid-19 many symphony seasons, celebrations and cycles of his works fell silent. The Emily Carr String Quartet’s first violinist, Müge Büyükçelen, felt that such celebrations are better late than never. “To hear a symphony or sonata by Beethoven is one thing,” she said, “but in order to truly appreciate the incredible breadth of emotion that this famously temperamental composer is capable of, one need look no further than the string quartets. Our audience was promised a cycle of these works, and we felt it was important to deliver that however possible.”

    March 15, 2021

    Friday. 12:00 pm(livestream) Christ Church Cathedral and the Emily Carr String Quartet will be collaborating on a special presentation of "The Seven Last Words of Christ" by Franz Joseph Haydn.

    February 12, 2021

    Following on the resounding success of their Portraits series, the quartet has planned a complete performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s string quartets over nine concerts beginning on March 12 and running into the Fall of 2021. Beethoven’s 250th birthday was to have been marked in 2020 by arts organizations around the world. The Emily Carr String Quartet had planned to present the cycle of Beethoven's complete string quartets in May/June of 2020. Due to Covid-19 many symphony seasons, celebrations and cycles of his works fell silent. The Emily Carr String Quartet’s first violinist, Müge Büyükçelen, felt that such celebrations are better late than never. “To hear a symphony or sonata by Beethoven is one thing,” she said, “but in order to truly appreciate the incredible breadth of emotion that this famously temperamental composer is capable of, one need look no further than the string quartets. Our audience was promised a cycle of these works, and we felt it was important to deliver that however possible.”

    November 20, 2020

    In-person concerts have been suspended at Christ Church Cathedral. The following performance has been affected by the latest COVID-19 provincial order: Portraits: "Among the Firs" (Emily Carr String Quartet) Saturday, December 12, 2020. The 7:30 pm performance will be a livestream event with no in-person audience. Ticket holders may request a full refund by following the instructions in their Eventbrite ticket receipt email. If you require assistance, contact frontdesk@christchurchcathedral.bc.ca. Ticket holders can also donate the proceeds of their ticket to support the performers and the music program at Christ Church Cathedral. To donate your ticket and receive a tax receipt, email frontdesk@christchurchcathedral.bc.ca with your mailing address (for CRA receipt purposes) and specify that you would like to donate your ticket. The 7:30 pm concert will be livestreamed at www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/live

    August 26, 2020

    Christ Church Cathedral and the Emily Carr String Quartet are pleased to announce Portraits, a lineup of in-person concerts this fall at the cathedral. The Emily Carr String Quartet, now in its 15th Season, will present such musical masterpieces as Schubert's Death and the Maiden, Shostakovich 8th Quartet, Brahms Clarinet Quintet and contemporary works by Caroline Shaw and Jared Miller. Through social distancing, limited seating and repeat performances, Portraits will offer the community an opportunity to once again attend a concert in-person and to experience the power of live music.
    Check calendar for more details.

    August 25, 2020

    The Emily Carr String Quartet will be performing as a part of the "Concerts on the Farm Festival." Concerts on the Farm is a new summer festival of open-air concerts over two days on an organic farm in the idyllic Southlands in Vancouver, featuring live hour-long performances by guest musicians.

    July 21, 2020

    The Emily Carr String Quartet perform music by Josef Suk, Joaquin Turina and Ludwig van Beethoven as part of Christ Church Cathedral's Summer Recital Series. Due to the cathedral’s social distancing measures, there will be two showings of each concert, with attendance strictly limited to keep a group size of 50. Purchase your non-transferable ticket early to ensure your place. For those who aren’t able to attend in person, a live-stream of the evening showing will be available via Facebook Live.

    March 16, 2020

    The Emily Carr String Quartet's presentation of the Beethoven Cycle, May 22nd-June 7th, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis.

    March 16, 2020

    The Emily Carr String Quartet's performance of Haydn's "Seven Last Words of Christ" has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    February 20, 2020

    The Emily Carr String Quartet perform an all Beethoven program of string quartets at The Old School House Arts Centre in Qualicum Beach. The program includes: Op 18 #4 in C minor, Op 127 in E flat major and Op 59 #3 in C major.

    December 12, 2019

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "Music Inside Out: Tchaikovsky." The Emily Carr String Quartet and host Robert Holliston explore Tchaikovsky's string sextet "Souvenir de Florence." Danielle Tsao, viola and Lexie Krakowski, cello join the quartet as part of the ECSQ's third annual Young Artist Mentorship Program.

    October 30, 2019

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "Different Trains: a tribute to the Kronos String Quartet." The program includes: "Fratres" by Arvo Pärt, "Beloved the Sky" by Iman Habibi (World Premiere), "Four for Tango" by Astor Piazzolla, arrangements for string quartet by Osvaldo Golijov and Steve Reich's "Different Trains."

    September 7, 2019

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "Music Inside Out: Mendelssohn." Join the Emily Carr String Quartet and guest host Robert Holliston as they explore Mendelssohn's String Quintet in E Minor, Op. 44, no.2.

    The ECSQ's 2019/20 season:

    Subscribe to our 2019-2020 series of concerts

    Subscription Form

    June 24, 2019

    The Emily Carr String Quartet will be making their way up island to perform an outdoor concert in the heart of downtown Campbell River. The program features classical favourites alongside variations on a theme by Gershwin and pieces arranged by Osvaldo Golijov.

    May 17, 2019

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "Music Inside Out: Mozart". Join the Emily Carr String Quartet, Danielle Tsao and guest host Robert Holliston as they explore Mozart's String Quintet in C Major, K. 515. This presentation of "Music Inside Out" features violist Danielle Tsao who is participating in the Emily Carr String Quartet's second annual Young Artist Mentorship Program.

    April 28, 2019

    The Emily Carr String Quartet perform a concert for the Sooke Philharmonic chamber music workshop. The concert will feature Vaughn William's string quartet no.2 in A minor and Weinberg's string quartet no.5, op. 27. Both pieces were part of a concert the quartet presented earlier in the year entitled: "Music in the time of World War II: 1939-1945.

    April 6, 2019

    The Emily Carr String Quartet perform Haydn's string quartet op. 51, "Seven Last Words of Christ" at St. Andrew's Cathedral. Admission by donation.

    March 4, 2019

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "One More Way to See" on March 27th at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre. Tickets:$25.
    For more information click on the link below.
    The Victoria Symphony New Music Festival

    December 18, 2018

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "Music in the time of World War II: 1939-1945. The program includes Barber's "Adagio" from his string quartet op. 11, Vaughn William's string quartet no.2 in A minor and Weinberg's string quartet no.5, op. 27.

    November 04, 2018

    The ECSQ present "Music Inside Out: Tchaikovsky". The ECSQ and guest host Robert Holliston explore Tchaikovsky's String Quartet no.1 in D Major, Op. 11

    September 10, 2018

    The ECSQ begin their 13th season with a concert commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first World War. The program includes: Suk, Meditation on the old Czech Chorale 'St Wenceslas', op. 35a, Bartok, String Quartet no.2, op.17 and Edward Elgar's String Quartet in E minor, op. 83.

    The ECSQ's 2018/19 season:

    June 26, 2018

    The Emily Carr String Quartet perform an afternoon concert at the Sooke Harbour House. The program includes Beethoven's string quartet Op. 18 no. 5 in A major, Variations on "I Got Rhythm" by George Gershwin (arr. Naughtin) and Dvorak's quartet in F major op. 96 ("American")

    April 20, 2018

    The Emily Carr String Quartet and guest host Robert Holliston explore Schubert's String Quintet in C Major. This presentation of "Music: Inside Out" features the first participant in the ECSQ's Young Artist Mentorship Program, cellist Sophie Van Der Sloot.

    February 24, 2018

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "Beethoven from Beginning to End" at the Sooke Harbour House's Copper Room. This concert features Beethoven's String Quartet op. 18 no. 3 and the great String Quartet in C sharp minor, op. 131.

    January 04, 2018

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "Beethoven from Beginning to End". This concert features Beethoven's String Quartet op. 18 no. 3 and the great String Quartet in C sharp minor, op. 131. Also on the programme is Jennifer Butler's "Klee Wyck Woman" for mezzo soprano and string quartet featuring Tasha Farivar (mezzo soprano) and text by Janet Marie Rogers.

    November 13, 2017

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "Music Inside Out: Smetana". Join the Emily Carr String Quartet and guest host Robert Holliston as they explore Smetana's String Quartet no.1 ("From my Life").

    October 9, 2017

    The Emily Carr String Quartet perform a concert of contemporary music for string quartet with special guest Marion Newman (mezzo soprano). The program includes "Freycinet" by Robert Coe, "Tōrino" by Salina Fisher, Geoffrey Hudson's "Suite from the Quartet Project", "Theophilus" by Demian Rudel Rey and a World Premiere of "Klee Wyck Woman" by Vancouver composer Jennifer Butler with text by Janet Marie Rogers. This concert is presented as part of ISCM World New Music Days 2017 in Vancouver.

    August 4, 2017

    The ECSQ start their 2017/18 season with "Symmetrical Soundscapes" a concert featuring Bartok's String Quartet no.4, Haydn's String quartet op. 76 no.5 and "Tōrino" by New Zealand composer Salina Fisher.

    The ECSQ's 2017/18 season:

    June 17, 2017

    The Nanaimo Conservatory of Music presents THE 7TH ANNUAL VANCOUVER ISLAND CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL VICMF Artistic Director Pippa Williams has carefully curated an eclectic and thrilling group of professional ensembles for the VICMF’s 7th season. Come and enjoy chamber music performed by professional artists in intimate settings! The concerts will take place on two days at two venues: • Friday 23 June | 7:00 pm | St. Paul’s Anglican Church Trio 211 & Emily Carr String Quartet • Saturday 24 June | 2:00 pm | Harbour City Theatre Victoria Brass & Ad Mare Reed Trio • Saturday 24 June | 7:00 pm | Harbour City Theatre Fringe Percussion & Marina Hasselberg/Cathy Fern Lewis.

    May 17, 2017

    Friday, June 2nd, 7:30pm concert. Vox Humana presents: "The National Anthems". A celebration of the finest choral repertoire spanning over 500 years. Works by Orlando di Lasso, Carlo Gesualdo, Antonín Dvořák, Josef Rheinberger and from the composer of “the little match girl passion”, the British Columbia premiere of David Lang’s “the national anthems” accompanied by the Emily Carr String Quartet. In addition the choir is proud to present a newly commissioned work by Victoria composer Tobin Stokes.

    April 27, 2017

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "Music Inside Out: Mendelssohn" with guest host, Robert Holliston. Head of Keyboard studies at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, Robert Holliston will provide insight into the life and music of Felix Mendelssohn followed by a full performance of Mendelssohn's string quartet no.2, Op 13.
    During "Music Inside Out: Mendelssohn" There will be a silent auction presented by the ECSQ Society.
    To read more about The ECSQ Society's Silent Auction fundraiser click here.

    January 17, 2017

    The ECSQ is looking forward to their upcoming concerts in March which will feature Janacek's second string quartet, "Intimate Letters" and Mozart's Clarinet Quintet with clarinet soloist AK Coope.
    To see the ECSQ's 2016/2017 season brochure click here.
    For a subscription form click here.

    October 13, 2016

    The ECSQ Society is excited to present the Emily Carr String Quartet in “Kreutzer Sonata”; music of Janáček, Dvořák and Shaw. The ECSQ, in the first main concert of its 11th season will explore Janáček's first quartet; a work of uncommon intensity and emotion based on Leo Tolstoy’s novella “The Kreutzer Sonata”. Also featured is Dvořák’s beloved “American” string quartet, and Pulitzer prize winner Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte.

    July 21, 2016

    The Emily Carr String Quartet's 11th Season! Robert Holliston will be the host for our educational series, "Music:Inside Out" and versatile clarinetist AK Coope will join us for the Mozart Clarinet Quintet in our Main concert series. It is going to be an exciting season and we would like to share it with you!

    June 20, 2016

    The Emily Carr String Quartet, now entering its second decade, will perform as part of Christ Church Cathedral's Summer Recital series. They will present a unique program of string duos and quartets, including Haydn's "Sunrise" quartet.

    May 21, 2016

    Explore Claude Debussy with a morning of music, tea and insight into the fascinating life of one of the most prominent figures of Impressionist music. The Emily Carr String Quartet Society is proud to present "Music Inside Out: Debussy." Tea, coffee and refreshments, followed by discussion, analysis and a full performance of Debussy's string quartet in g minor, op.10 are included in the mornings program. Our host, Joseph Salem is Assistant Professor of Musicology at the University of Victoria. His current research interests include the criticism and analysis of non-notated music, the music of Pierre Boulez, and the divergent paths of European and American experimentalism during the middle of the twentieth century. Joe has also contributed research to the fields of opera and the history of music theory, and is an avid fan of critical theory and methodological critique. He has received fellowships from the Fulbright organization and the Paul Sacher Stiftung in Basel, Switzerland, for his 2014 dissertation, which critiques Boulez’s formative writings and works during the rise and fall of integral serialism.

    April 30, 2016

    Music on Main presents: "One Night Stand: Caroline Shaw". Music on Main’s multi-faceted ‘Composer In Residence’ Caroline Shaw joins dancer Vanessa Goodman, pianist David Kaplan & the Emily Carr String Quartet for one magic night of art + song on May 10th. Violinist, vocalist, sometimes Kanye-collaborator & youngest-ever Pulitzer Prize for Music winner, Shaw is a musician whose work embraces immediacy and joy. This fantastic concert offers a chance to delve into her arresting, physical, and open-hearted work.

    March 2, 2016

    The ECSQ Society is thrilled to present a concert celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Emily Carr String Quartet with special guests the Lafayette String Quartet, superstar accordionist Jelena Milojevic, and a World Premiere by prominent BC composer Jared Miller. Joining forces for the first time, UVIC artists-in-residence the Lafayette String Quartet and the ECSQ will perform Mendelssohn's masterful octet and Shostakovich's haunting 2 pieces for string octet. Accordionist Jelena Milojevic, touted as one of the world's foremost accordion players, will also join the ECSQ to perform Adiós Nonino by Astor Piazzolla at this celebratory event. Jared Miller's string quartet "Strangled by Growth" is a signature work commissioned by the ECSQ with support from BC Arts Council. Inspired by artist Emily Carr’s painting "Strangled by Growth”, Miller’s work will receive its world premiere at this event. Jared Miller is presently composer-in-residence of the Victoria Symphony and recently listed as one of CBC's 30 hot classical musicians under 30.

    Feb 1, 2016

    Open Space and the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra have come together to present Global Soundscapes: Notes from the Araxes Basin a festival featuring presentations of traditional, contemporary and inter-cultural music of the Middle East and Canada. Notes From the Araxes Basin promises to be a great musical adventure, guaranteed to expand horizons and transcend borders. This festival has events in Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Victoria. Victoria events include an instrument demonstration, a concert, and a workshop for composers. Music by contemporary Middle Eastern and Canadian composers, performed by Gevorg Dabaghyan, Neva Özgen and Navid Goldrick (oud) accompanied by Victoria's Emily Carr String Quartet. Featured composers include Ahmed Adnan Saygun (Turkey), Mohammad Taghi Massoudieh (Iran) and Vartapet Komitas (Armenia), as well as Mark Armanini, Rodney Sharman and Farshid Samandari.
    Demonstration: February 19, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
    Concert: February 20, 2016 at 8 p.m.
    Workshop: February 21, 2016 at 1:30 p.m.
    Venue: Open Space, 510 Fort Street, 2nd floor
    Admission: Concert: $16/$11 in advance, $20/$15 at the door; all other events are by donation.

    Oct 4, 2015

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present "Death and the Maiden". The program includes Britten's string quartet no. 2 in C Major, written for a commemorative concert of English composer Henry Purcell, a world premiere of Jocelyn Morlock's "Big Raven", an ECSQ commission based on the Emily Carr painting and Schubert's string quartet no.14 in d minor entitled "Death and the Maiden".

    Aug 27, 2015

    Renowned conductor and music educator Timothy Vernon will provide insight into the life and music of Maurice Ravel followed by a full performance of Ravel's string quartet. "Music: Inside Out" will take place at The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria on Saturday September 26, 2015 at 10:30 am.

    May 20, 2015

    The Linden Singers welcomes the Emily Carr String Quartet for the debut performance of ‘Gloria’, a newly commissioned work for strings and choir by Jeff Enns, ‘Ubi Caritas’ by Ola Gjeilo and other works.

    May 04, 2015

    Explore Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with a morning of music, tea and insight into the fascinating life of one of the most prolific and influential composers. The Emily Carr String Quartet in partnership with the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria are proud to present Music Inside Out: Mozart. A look into Mozart’s life and music takes place on Saturday May 23, 2015 at 10:30 AM. Tea,coffee and sundries, followed by discussion, analysis and a full performance of Mozart's String Quartet K.575 are included in the mornings program. Renowned conductor and musical educator Maestro Timothy Vernon will host the event. Timothy Vernon is the founding Artistic Director of Pacific Opera Victoria and has conducted every major orchestra and Opera company in Canada. Maestro Vernon has been honoured for his work by receiving The Order Of Canada.

    March 22, 2015

    Steinway Artist and critically acclaimed pianist Lorraine Min will be performing with the Emily Carr String Quartet in concert at the Philip T. Young Recital Hall UVIC Apr. 24 7:30 pm, and St.Mary of the Incarnation in Metchosin Apr. 26 2:30 pm. The concert will feature a chamber version of Chopin’s stunning Piano Concerto No.2 , a work recently recorded by Min and the ECSQ. The program will also feature Tan Dun’s Eight Colors for string quartet, and Goddard’s Allaqi. Lorraine Min’s live recording session of the 3rd movement of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.1 with the Emily Carr String Quartet can be heard on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAkfoT9oVwU.

    March 19, 2015

    The Emily Carr String Quartet perform Crumb's "Black Angels" as part of Music on Main's(Vancouver) "Roam" concert series. The program also features "Tenebrae" by Osvaldo Golijov.

    February 13, 2015

    The Emily Carr String Quartet perform as part of the Victoria Symphony and University of Victoria's New Music Festival featuring the work of Gerald Barry. Irish composer Gerald Barry is the focus of this year’s New Music Festival. Explore the unexpected and wacky genius of his music and delve into other modern works created to exhibit the lighter side of life. “Barry’s is a world of sharp edges, of precisely defined yet utterly unpredictable musical objects. His music sounds like no one else’s in its diamond-like hardness, its humour, and sometimes its violence.” -Tom Service, UK Guardian, January 2013 Many of his works have been commissioned by the BBC and include music for orchestras, chamber orchestras, voice and opera. He has a reputation of creating music independently of its instrumental medium, recycling concepts from piece to piece like adapting violin to piano or soprano voices to tenor. Thursday, March 5 / Uvic Sonic Lab • Friday, March 6 / Vox Humana• Saturday, March 7 / Victoria Symphony • Monday, March 9 / Emily Carr String Quartet.

    December 23, 2014

    The Emily Carr String Quartet perform as part of the University of Victoria Alumni Concert Series. The program includes George Crumb's "Black Angels", "Warblework" by Cassandra Miller as well as music by Osvaldo Golijov and Dimitri Shostakovich.

    October 4, 2014

    Open Space and the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra (VICO) are proud to present three events as part of the Chrysanthemums and Maple Leaves 2014 here in Victoria. This innovative festival organized by VICO celebrates the music of Japan, and explores interactions between Japanese and Canadian cultures through educational events, workshops, chamber recitals and orchestral concerts in Vancouver, Victoria and Burnaby. Victoria will be welcoming three master musicians from Japan and the Netherlands: Naomi Sato (sho), Bruce Huebner (shakuhachi), and Miyama Tokita (koto). The events in Victoria begin with an instrument demonstration and recital of traditional music at the Greater Victoria Library on October 24, at 3:30 p.m. This even will provide an introduction to the instruments of sho, shakuhachi and koto. On October 25, at 1:30 p.m. emerging composers will present sketches and pieces written for these instruments. This event, a composer's reading session, will take the format of an open rehearsal. This will be an excellent opportunity to not only to learn about the instruments, but will provide insight into the compositional process. Feel free to drop by for the whole afternoon or just a portion. To finish off the events in Victoria, Naomi Sato, Bruece Huebner, and Miyama McQueen-Tokita will be joined by the Emily Carr String Quartet to show case new works for traditional Japanese instruments.

    August 30, 2014

    Explore Ludwig van Beethoven with a morning of music, tea and insight into the fascinating life of one of the most prolific and influential composers. The Emily Carr String Quartet in partnership with the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria present "Music Inside Out: Beethoven". Tea/Coffee and refreshments, followed by discussion, analysis and a full performance of Beethoven's string quartet Op. 74 "The Harp" are included in the mornings program.

    Renowned conductor and musical educator Timothy Vernon will host the event. Timothy Vernon is the founding Artistic Director of Pacific Opera Victoria and has conducted every major orchestra and Opera company in Canada. Maestro Vernon has been honored for his work by receiving the Order of Canada.

    May 23, 2014

    The Emily Carr String Quartet present a series of concerts at the Emily Carr House, a national historic site in Victoria. The concerts will combine readings from Emily Carr's journal "Hundreds and Thousands" with carefully selected works from the string quartet repertoire.

    February 11, 2014

    The Emily Carr String Quartet are going ahead with a concert of Canadian works inspired by Emily Carr. The concert will take place in May 2014 and will feature Jean Coulthard's "Pines of Emily Carr", movements of Tobin Stokes' "Stories from Klee Wyck" and a new string quartet piece by Tobin commissioned by the ECSQS with the assistance of the Arts Council of British Columbia.

    December 11, 2013

    Music Inside Out: Franz Joseph Haydn
    Join the Emily Carr String Quartet at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria for a morning of music, tea and insight into the life of Franz Joseph Haydn. Music Educator and CBC radio guest June Goldsmith will be your host; entertaining and enlightening you as we explore Haydn's fascinating life and his Emperor String Quartet. Coffee, Tea and sundries at 10:30 followed by discussion, analysis and a full performance of Haydn's String Quartet Op 76 No 3 ''Emperor" by the Emily Carr String Quartet. Following the concert, audience members are welcome to take a guided tour of the Art Gallery.

     

    June Goldsmith is a musician, educator, and founder of Vancouver's Music in the Morning. June is a regular guest on the CBC radio one program North by Northwest and has been honoured for her work in music receiving both The Order Of Canada and The Order of British Columbia.

    October 29, 2013

    "Tobin Stokes is working on a new piece for string quartet, inspired by the writing of Emily Carr. The piece was commissioned by the ECSQS with the assistance of the Arts Council of British Columbia.

    July 18, 2013

    "The ECSQ is excited to present their new website. Big Thanks to Veronica Trujillo and Peter Michaux for the design and implementation. Special Thanks to Barb Mcdougall for all the quartet photos!"

    The formation of the Emily Carr String Quartet Society

    April 16, 2013

    The Emily Carr String Quartet Society was formed on April 16, 2012 with the mandate to support the Emily Carr String Quartet in the promotion, performance, education and recording of the string quartet repertoire from classical to contemporary. The ECSQ Society also provides assistance with the commissioning of new Canadian compositions and collaborations with distinguished artists.