President Susan A. Cole (seated center) joins Geoffrey Newman (standing left), dean of the School of the Arts, and Provost Richard Lynde (standing right) in signing the agreement that brought the Shanghai Quartet to campus as artist in residence. Members of the quartet, pictured from left, are Honggang Li, violist; Nicholas Tzavaras, cellist; Yiwen Jiang, violinist; and Weigang Li, violinist.

The internationally acclaimed Shanghai Quartet officially became Montclair State's first string quartet in residence this month, in a landmark agreement signed in June that reinforces the Music Department's reputation as a leader in the state.

"We are pleased to have the Shanghai Quartet as part of our campus community," said President Susan A. Cole. "They will be a great asset to the Music Department, where our internationally renowned faculty provides unique musical opportunities to students. This is one more opportunity for our students to hear and learn from world-class performers."

The quartet, which has been in residence at the University of Richmond (Va.) since 1989, will hold both residencies for one year until its contract in Virginia ends. "We're looking forward to helping the Music Department continue to develop," said Weigang Li, first violinist and the group's leader. "The University is open to new ideas. That's why they brought us in and that's why we came."

According to Robert Aldridge of Music, who helped bring the quartet to Montclair State, the ensemble will give private instruction to string students, coach chamber music, solo with the MSU Orchestra and perform for both the MSU and the Montclair area communities several times throughout the year. The quartet will become the centerpiece resident performer in the new 500-seat, state-of-the-art Alexander Kasser Theater, scheduled to open in 2004. "With the opening of the Alexander Kasser Theater, this is the quality of music Montclair State University will offer the community regularly," said Cole.

Known for its commissions of new works, the group also will give an annual reading of new works by University composers and will recruit students for the Music Department. "We were taught by great teachers," said Li, who, with his brother Honggang Li, founded the quartet in 1983. "It's time to do our duty and pass it on."

The two-year residency, according to Geoffrey Newman, dean of the School of the Arts, will give the University an international profile. "It takes our music program and string program to another level," he said.

Formed at China's Shanghai Conservatory, the quartet, which includes Li and Yiwen Jiang on violin, Honggang Li on viola, and Nicholas Tzavares on cello, tours the major music centers of North America, Europe and Asia, and occasionally teaches in Shanghai--a connection that pleases Cole, who has initiated several exchange programs in Shanghai and Beijing.

"Music should ideally be a part of every person's life," said Li. "We want to give young people an opportunity to associate with great music and to discover that it will enrich their lives. It is our responsibility to inspire others. That is what makes us happy. We want to cultivate more audiences, not just for ourselves, but for the cultural world as well."

The ensemble will debut on campus Sept. 11 with an excerpt from Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" during a concert with music faculty to commemorate and reflect on the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The concert, which will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium, is just one of several events in a day of hope and remembrance. "This is not going to be a showcase for the Shanghai Quartet," said Li. "It will be a tribute to the victims and heroes of Sept. 11."

Go back to the Insight index