Out of 48 competing ensembles from across the nation and around the world, the Akropolis Reed Quintet, comprising four recent SMTD alums and one 2014 graduate, captured the Gold Medal ($3,500.00) in the Senior Wind Division at the 2014 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. In addition to prize money, the ensemble will participate in a Winner’s Tour of the Midwestern United States this fall. The Akropolis members are Tim Gocklin (BM,’12, oboe), Kari Dion (BM ’11, MM ’12, clarinet), Matt Landry (BM ’10, saxophone), Andrew Koeppe (BM ’10, bass clarinet), and Ryan Reynolds (BM ’12, MM ’14, bassoon).

In addition, the Evita String Quartet, all current SMTD students, won the Senior String Division Bronze Medal ($2,000) at the competition. Members include Hyorim Han (violin), Haerim Lee (violin) Yi-Chun Lin (viola), and Soojung Kim (cello).

The 2014 Fischoff Competition took place May 9-11 on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. It is the largest chamber music competition in the nation and the world. Each year, an average of 125 ensembles, representing 22 nationalities, enter in either the wind or string categories of three to six performers. Fischoff is the only national chamber music competition with both senior divisions (ages 18-35) and a junior division (age 18 and younger). Since its founding, more than 6,600 musicians have participated, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education.

For more information, please visit: http://www.music.umich.edu/about/news.php?id=352