The Colorado-based Altius Quartet has dedicated itself to expanding traditional notions of the string quartet. Members Hannah Kennedy and Andrew Giordano (violins), Allyson Stibbards (viola), and Erin Patterson (cello) are equally at home as performers, mentors, and educators, and strive to fulfill each of those roles at the highest possible level. Altius has received critical acclaim for their recordings, including Fanfare Magazine describing their 2017 release Shostakovich: String Quartets Nos. 7, 8, and 9” as “visceral and wrenching”. Altius was also hailed as “rich” and “captivating” by the renowned music blog I Care If You Listen. The name Altius Quartet is derived from the Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Latin for “Faster, Higher, Stronger”). This motto is at the heart of the quartet’s mission; Altius seeks to provide a platform for evolution, growth, and inclusivity, whether they are teaching in a classroom or performing a concert. 

Since forming in 2011, the Altius Quartet has served as Ensemble-in-Residence at Southern Methodist University and later, held the position of Fellowship String Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Colorado-Boulder, studying under the world-renowned Takács Quartet. During their time at Southern Methodist University, the Altius worked closely with Matt Albert, Emanuel Borok, and Andrés Diaz. Altius has been awarded prizes at the Fischoff, Coltman, and Plowman Chamber Music Competitions, as well as the Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld International String Competition. 

Altius prides itself on supporting the creation and realization of new music, and their most recent album (Quadrants, Vol. 3), is a collection of works by living composers. Their first album, Dress Code, garnered praise from Review Graveyard for its ability to “[introduce] classical music to those that are not normally fans…”, showcasing the quartet’s ability to connect with any audience. Dress Code, along with Shostakovich: String Quartets Nos. 7, 8, and 9 and Quadrants, were all released by PARMA Recordings. Altius was also a recipient of the 2015 CMA Classical Commissioning Grant, which resulted in Michael Ippolito’s 4th String Quartet. 

The Altius Quartet has collaborated with notable artists such as Peter Nágy, Håkan Rosengren, Geraldine Walther, Anton Nel, Andrés Diaz, and Bright Sheng. They maintain an active performance schedule throughout the United States and abroad, including recent appointments as the inaugural Fellowship Quartet at the Lakes Area Music Festival in Brainerd, MN, and the String Quartet-in-Residence at both the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival (Burlington, VT) and CYA Chamber Music Festival (Cincinnati, OH). Highlights of recent seasons include Carnegie Hall, the Clyfford Still Museum, Aspen Music Festival, Chamber Music Cincinnati, and concert tours in China and Hong Kong. Altius is also invited to teach in schools nationwide and is pleased to partner with Friends of Chamber Music to secure outreach events in the state of Colorado.

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