asylumquartet@gmail.com | 510-589-9520

 

asylumquartet@gmail.com | 510-589-9520 www.asylumquartet.com

Joseph Abad soprano saxophone Tony Speranza alto saxophone

Max Schwimmer tenor saxophone Andrew Barnhart baritone saxophone

 

Ensemble CV

Grand Prize and Gold Medal Winner, International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition

2014 | Boston, MA

Residencies / Distinctions Chamber Music America Showcase Ensemble | New York, NY, January 15-17, 2015 Ensemble-in-Residence, Christ Church Cathedral | Hartford, CT, 2014-2015 2014 Resident Outreach Ensemble, Music Masterworks | New London, CT, October - November, 2014 Arts Provider, Hartford Performs | Hartford, CT, 2014-2015 Selected Artist, MTA Arts for Transit and Urban Design Music Under New York | New York, NY, 2014 Resident Ensemble, Avaloch Farm Music Institute | Boscawen, NH, June 1-14, 2014 Upcoming Performances First Congregational Church of Southington | Southington, CT, February 21, 2015 First Congregational Church of Greenwich | Greenwich, CT, February 22, 2015 St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts | Berlin, NH, March 15, 2015 First Church of Nashua | Nashua, NH, March 22, 2015 Fox Hill Village | Westwood, MA, March 31, 2015 Musical Masterworks at Lyme-Old Lyme High School | Old Lyme, CT, April 7, 2015 Arts Institute of Western Maine | Farmington, ME, April 11, 2015 The Eliot Church | Natick, MA, April 12, 2015 Christ Church Cathedral Ensemble-in-Residence Series | Hartford, CT, April 23, 2015 Lexington Chamber Music Concert Series | Lexington, MA, April 25, 2015 Cathedral Basilica Concert Series | Newark, NJ, April 29, 2015 Brookfield Library | Brookfield, CT, May 3, 2015 Monadnock Center for History and Culture | Peterborough, NH, May 16, 2015 Christ Church Cathedral Ensemble-in-Residence Series | Hartford, CT, May 28, 2015 Simsbury Historical Society | Simsbury, CT, May 30, 2015 First Church of Christ Congregational | West Hartford, CT, June 7, 2015 Christ Church Cathedral Ensemble-in-Residence Series | Hartford, CT, June 19, 2015 Saint Gaudens National Memorial | Cornish, NH, July 26, 2015 St. John’s Episcopal Church “Live at Five” Concert Series | Washington, CT, October 11, 2015 Past Performances Ossining Public Library | Ossining, NY, February 1, 2015 Christ Church Cathedral Ensemble-in-Residence Series | Hartford, CT, January 22, 2015 Chamber Music America Conference Showcase | New York, NY, January 15-17, 2015 Reeves Reed Arboretum | Summit, NJ, December 6, 2014

 

asylumquartet@gmail.com | 510-589-9520

Florence Griswold Museum | Old Lyme, CT, December 4, 2014 Musical Masterworks at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School | New London, CT, November 14, 2014 University of Connecticut Greater Hartford Campus | Maxwell Shepherd Memorial Concert Series | West Hartford, CT, November 13, 2014 Musical Masterworks Outreach at The Friendship School | New London, CT, November 13, 2014 The Hartt School Celebrates Adolphe Sax’s 200th Birthday | West Hartford, CT, November 6, 2014 Musical Masterworks Outreach at Regional Multicultural Magnet School | New London, CT, November 6, 2014 Musical Masterworks Outreach at Integrated Day Charter School | New London, CT, November 4, 2014 Four Corners Arts Center at The Meetinghouse | Tiverton, Rhode Island, November 1, 2014 Musical Masterworks Outreach at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School | New London, CT, October 30, 2014 Boston Athenaeum - Henry Long Room | Boston, MA, October 15, 2014 Christ Church Cathedral Ensemble-in-Residence Series | Hartford, CT, October 12, 2014 Meryall Center for the Arts | New Milford, CT, October 11, 2014 Christ Church Cathedral Ensemble-in-Residence Series | Hartford, CT, October 3, 2014 Musical Masterworks Outreach at BP Learned Mission | New London, CT, September 30, 2014 Musical Masterworks Outreach at ISSAC School | New London, CT, September 30, 2014 Caffe Vivaldi Series at Greenwich House Music School |New York, NY, September 27, 2014 Featured on WWUH’s The 20th Century Limited | West Hartford, CT, September 5, 2014 Old State House Summer Concert Series | Hartford, CT, August 29, 2014 Farmington Libraries Richard P. Garmany Series | Farmington, CT, August 19, 2014 Traverse City Film Festival pre-film and festival party music | Traverse City, MI, July 29-August 3, 2014 The Workshop Brewing Company | Traverse City, MI, July 30 Private Event benefitting Whole Planet Foundation | Diamond Lake, Glastonbury, CT, July 26th, 2014 Newport Music Festival Children’s Concert | Blithewood Mansion in Bristol, RI, July 22, 2014 Newport Music Festival Debut | Casino Theater at Salve Regina University, Newport, RI, July 21, 2014 Center Church concert for Hands on Hartford MANNA Community Meals | Hartford, CT, July 17, 2014 Lincoln Square Summer Concert Series | New York, NY, July 16, 2014 Crane Concerts Summer Series |Quincy, MA, July 10, 2014 International Festival of Arts and Ideas Noon to Night Series | New Haven, CT, June 19, 2014 Ferguson Library | Stamford, CT, June 19, 2014 Boscawen Elementary School Outreach Concert | Boscawen, NH, June 9, 2014 Reeves-Reed Arboretum Summer Series | Summit, NJ, June 25, 2014 Private Event benefitting the Florence Griswold Museum | Chester, CT, May 31, 2014 MTA Music Under New York Auditions | Vanderbilt Hall, New York, NY, May 13, 2014 Misha-maya-gat Spoken Word and Music Series | MCC on Main, Manchester, CT, May 15, 2014 “At the Library” Interview and Performance | Quincy Access Television Studios, Quincy, MA, May 22, 2014 Poetry Reading of Stephen Campiglio | MCC on Main, Manchester, CT, May 9, 2014 The Linden Street School Masterclass and concert for students | Plainville, CT, April 25, 2014 The Hooker-Dunham Theater and Gallery | Brattleboro, VT, April 4, 2014 St. John's Concert Series |Vernon, CT, March 30, 2014 Music at the Meetinghouse Series | First Congregational Church, Madison, CT, March 15, 2014 J. René Coffee Roasters Concert Series | West Hartford, CT, February 28, 2014 The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center | Middletown, CT, January 25, 2014 WWUH The 20th Century Limited Interview and Performance | West Hartford, CT, December 13, 2013 Bravo Waterbury! outreach concert and clinic | Waterbury, CT, November 7, 2013 The Whitney Center Concert Series | Hamden, CT, November 3, 2013 La Paloma Sabanera Concert Series | Hartford, CT, May 9, 2013 MCC on Main Concert Series | Manchester, CT, May 4, 2013 J. René Coffee Roasters Concert Series | West Hartford, CT, April 26, 2013

 

asylumquartet@gmail.com | 510-589-9520

Norfeldt Elementary School Classical Café | West Hartford, CT, April 11, 2013 Misha-maya-gat Spoken Word and Music Series | Manchester, CT, February 21, 2013 J. René Coffee Roasters Concert Series – West Hartford, CT, September 28, 2012 Discography Year Zero (2014) - EP release of works by Guillermo Lago, Alexander Glazounov, and Ian Wilson Praise “Delightful!” - Mario Batali, Chef “...nonstop virtuoso skills.” - James F. Cotter ,The Times Herald-Record (Washingtonville, NY) “…evocative, educational, and refreshing…[the] kind of concert that would cause you to want to hear it again.” - Sandra Matuschka, Newport Daily News (Newport, RI) “extremely comfortable with…every nuance the score required” - Frank J. Oteri, NewMusicBox “roaring towards success…they expertly deliver an experience like no other.” - Fawzi Haimor, Resident Conductor, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra “You guys totally made my day, week, month and year. Thanks for such an amazing performance.” - John Dankosky, WNPR News Director and Host of Where We Live”(CT) “There is so much energy & optimism in everything these gentlemen do. Their commitment to the ensemble and the craft is supreme, and their skill is maddening.” - Lev “Ljova” Zhurbin, Composer “We seldom, if ever, get to hear such unique music-making...mind-blowing, mind-expanding...There was no denying their incredible virtuosity, sensitivity and generosity...the audience was richly rewarded...truly spell-bound.”

- Susan Ferre, Founder, Music in the Great North Woods “Asylum Quartet brought chamber music alive in our hall with their expressive interpretations, their top-notch musicianship and their total physical commitment to their craft...four virtuosos who clearly enjoy what they do...bring something to catch your jaw!”

- Monique Lavertu, Executive Director, St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts “Asylum Quartet performed with great flair and artistry. Their program demonstrated a keen sensitivity to the music and they were deeply connected with each other, playing as if they were one person. The audience was completely engaged with their performance and rose to their feet with thunderous applause at the conclusion of the program...thanks for an outstanding performance!”

- Dr. Craig Scott Symons, Director of Music, First Congregational Church of Greenwich

 

asylumquartet@gmail.com | 510-589-9520

"The Asylum Quartet filled the air with poetic melodies with exquisite timing and tenderness, harmoniously drawing us in to a world of classical music like I have never heard before. Moving us with diversity of sounds, their final klezmer tune lifted us to our feet for a standing ovation. Wonderful!"

- Anne-Marie Cannata, Executive Director, Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center (CT) “The Merryall Center for the Arts offers a wide range of music each season…The Asylum Quartet presents the same range in one evening. An amazing, fun, entertaining performance by four guys who obviously enjoy the music and performing.” - Gerard J. Monaghan, Co-President, Merryall Center for the Arts (CT) “This virtuosic saxophone ensemble impressed, delighted and I dare say, thrilled audiences…Personally, I can’t think of a better way to launch our summer music series.”

- Frank Juliano, Executive Director, Reeves Reed Arboretum (NJ) “As our 2014-2015 Outreach Ensemble, The Asylum Quartet provided an unforgettable residency, performing and teaching 1,600 Pre-K, elementary, and middle school students in under-served areas of southeastern Connecticut. Through their outstanding, engaging, and age-appropriate programming, the quartet enriched classrooms and inspired students…I can honestly say [they] were one of our best outreach ensembles.” - Pam Allen Hunter, Administrative Director, Musical Masterworks (CT) “The ISAAC community truly appreciated and enjoyed the morning performance and the students were so excited to have the guest teachers in music throughout the day…these are the types of experiences that are transformative for our students.” - David C. Howes, Principal, Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication (CT) “To say that their performance was one of the highlights of our season would be an understatement. The musicianship displayed, was impeccable and the personalities of the performers made for a most enjoyable evening.” - Albert Bayers, Vice President, Merryall Center for the Arts (CT) "The Asylum Quartet were a wonderful way to start this summer's concert series…Their music is truly captivating and offers something for everyone in the audience…I can't recommend them highly enough." - Clayton Cheever, Assistant Director, Thomas Crane Public Library (MA) “I am continuously impressed with the high-level artistry and musicianship that the Asylum Quartet brings to every performance. They are truly on the cutting edge as performers and they bring a palpable excitement to every venue I have witnessed them in.” - Adam Fontana, founder-conductor of the Hudson Valley Chamber Winds (NY) “We loved your ensemble. Gorgeous sound, excellent repertoire, and precise playing.” - Terri Rioux, Assistant Director of Resident Relations, The Whitney Center (CT) "Their ability to collaborate with very young students made for an awesome and unforgettable experience!" - Calida Jones, Program Director, Bravo Waterbury! (CT) “The Asylum Quartet provided a fascinating, educational, and enjoyable concert and conducted themselves with great professionalism on and off the stage.”

- Markus Centola, Musical Director, St. John's Episcopal Church (CT)