SMU Meadows School of the Arts Now Accepting Applications for Peak Fellowship Ensemble-in-Residence

SMU Meadows School of the Arts is now accepting applications for its Peak Fellowship Ensemble-in-Residence, a two-year chamber music fellowship for string quartets. The fellowship winner will be in residence at SMU August 2017-May 2019. The fellowship includes a $60,000 annual stipend for two years; an additional $7500 in the second year to support a self-directed, career-advancing project (e.g. a commission, recording, concert tour, etc.); participation in master classes and workshops with visiting artists; access to rehearsal space on the SMU campus; extensive performance opportunities in Dallas; and more.

The winning group also will work with and perform alongside the Escher String Quartet, ensemble-in-residence at SMU Meadows. A 2013 Avery Fisher Career Grant winner, the Escher String Quartet serves as Season Artists of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, has performed at major concert halls and festivals worldwide and has released critically acclaimed recordings on the BIS and Naxos labels.

The fellowship is open to string quartets with an average member age of 30 or younger as of February 15, 2017. Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Fellowship groups must reside in, or relocate to, the Dallas-Fort Worth area and must be able to live/work in the United States.

The Peak Fellowship, made possible by a generous gift from a graduate of SMU, was launched in 2014. The first winner was the Cézanne Quartet, which will conclude its two-year fellowship in spring 2017.

“The Peak Fellowship has allowed us to transition from students to young professionals,” said Cézanne Quartet cellist Elizabeth White. “By working with the Escher Quartet, we have learned what it is like to be a professional ensemble and what it takes to get there. We have been able to collaborate with many of the exceptional SMU music faculty and have presented many of our own concert programs. The Peak Fellowship has also generously given us the opportunity to record our debut album featuring three complete works for string quartet. Most of all, it has given us the freedom to explore a career in music under the guidance of some incredibly talented mentors.”

Interested groups may apply by sending an application letter, along with YouTube or Vimeo links to their pre-screening video, to Dr. David Mancini, director of the SMU Meadows Division of Music, at

dmancini@smu.edu by February 15, 2017. A DVD may also be mailed to Dr. Mancini, SMU Division of Music, P.O. Box 750356, Dallas, Texas 75275.

Two to three finalists will be invited for live auditions at SMU Meadows during the week of March 26, 2017.

For more information, contact Dr. Mancini or visit here. Read more about the SMU Meadows School of the Arts Division of Music.