In the final episode of Opus 4, the Skyros Quartet explores the ways in which we know we are done. For many musicians, creating a sense of completion in our practice and preparation is not always easy. In the history segment, Brandon and Willie discuss composers who both did and did not struggle with this. Next, Justin’s technique lesson examines healthy methods to recognize achievements by setting specific goals within an artistic endeavor. Our special guest is Greta Gothard of the Gothard...

In I Know What You Did Last Summer, the Skyros Quartet talks about summer music festivals and the powerful impact they can have during a musician’s formative years. In the History segment, Justin covers the history and legacy of the Marlboro Festival, one of the most prestigious chamber music festivals in the world. Next, Sarah offers some practical tips and organizational tools to use when applying to music festivals and schools. In our guest interview, Justin and Brandon have a delightful...

In Rock ’n’ Roll Never Dies, the Skyros Quartet examines the relationship between classical music and rock ’n’ roll. In the history segment, Sarah rocks out to Beethoven’s Grosse Fugue and discusses the elements of rock that Beethoven wrote in 1826. Next, Brandon, (who plays violin in Skyros and a band called Keltoi, in addition to being an award-winning Irish fiddler and singer, and a fantastic composer), offers advice on collaborative composition and rehearsal in small group settings like a...

Each member of a chamber ensemble plays a unique and vital role. The Skyros Quartet explores competitive situations with musical colleagues and how to handle these situations with respect and grace. In the history segment, Willie looks at instances when well-known composers could have demonstrated more sportsmanship towards other composers. Next, all four members of Skyros offer reflections and advice on how to demonstrate good sportsmanship to your musical colleagues. Sarah and Willie are...

In this fall-themed episode, the Skyros Quartet explores strange and occult music. In the history lesson, Sarah and Brandon discuss scary music and how composers used innovative techniques to portray these characters. Next, Willie introduces extended techniques, strange methods of playing an instrument to produce sounds that it is not normally intended to make, like creepy noises and otherworldly timbres. Our guest interview  features special and sinister guests from the Guild of Supernatural...

In this talk which combines the segments from episodes 2, 3 and 4, the Skyros Quartet takes part in a round table discussion with the Lafayette String Quartet discussing topics from chamber music from how to create a quartet sound to respecting and working well with your colleagues. The members of the Lafayette Quartet share their insights and experiences from a wonderful life-long career of performing and teaching at the highest level. Support the show...

In this unabridged interview, Sarah Pizzichemi and Willie Braun speak with cellist Greg Beaver. Greg is an incredible musician and as a member of the Chiara Quartet, was a very influential mentor for the Skyros Quartet during graduate school. In this conversation, Greg reflects on how music shapes his life, his recent creative pursuits, and offers some fantastic book recommendations. Support the show (http://www.chambermusicguild.org/thecounterpointclub/donate/)

In this unabridged interview, Justin Kurys and Willie Braun speak with violinist, violist, and conductor Mr. Dennis Bourret. Mr. Bourret directs a string youth orchestra program called Tucson Junior Strings that trains all students in all six levels to perform without a conductor. In this conversation, Mr. Bourret shares his insights into this pedagogical approach and the intersection of chamber music and large ensemble playing.  Support the show...

In our concluding Opus 3 episode of The Counterpoint Club, the Skyros Quartet investigates the intersection between chamber music and orchestra. Featuring special guest: educator and violinist/violist Dennis Bourrett.

The Skyros Quartet explores balancing individual voices within a chamber ensemble, using everyone’s favorite analogy: a layer cake! Featuring the third and final installment with special guests, the Lafayette Quartet.

In this episode of The Counterpoint Club, Skyros focuses on transitions in music. Featuring a second appearance from special guests, members of the Lafayette String Quartet.

Have you been wondering what’s with all these Pencil Gnomes? Where do they come from? Why do they need pencils? What tried and tested techniques does Skyros use to keep them away from our pencils? We’ll have answers to these questions and more, as well as a rare and exclusive interview with Nim the Gnome, chief representative of the Gnome Union!

In this episode of the Counterpoint Club, the Skyros Quartet takes a look at how to create a respectful work environment between colleagues. Featuring special guests: Ann Elliot-Goldschmid, Sharon Stanis, Joanna Hood, and Pamela Highbaugh Aloni of the Lafayette String Quartet

The Skyros Quartet kicks off another series of The Counterpoint Club with an episode about improving your ensemble’s rehearsal efficiency through organized planning. Featuring special guest: cellist Gregory Beaver

In the final ENCORE Interview for Opus 2, Willie and Justin speak with violist James Dunham. This conversation is the unabridged version of that heard in the fourth episode: How to Train Your String Quartet. This episode diverges from our standard TCC...

In this ENCORE Interview for Opus 2 Brandon and Justin speak with violinist Annie Fullard. This conversation is the unabridged version of that heard in the fourth episode: How to Train Your String Quartet. This episode diverges from our standard TCC...

In this ENCORE Interview for Opus 2 Sarah and Brandon speak with violinist Rachell Ellen Wong. This conversation is the unabridged version of that heard in the third episode: “Performing From The HIP.” In this episode, Sarah guides us through a history...

Skyros Quartet takes a look at the integral role of women in the development of the chamber music genre, and the continuation of women composing for chamber ensembles. Featuring special guest: composer and professor Dr. Kaley Lane Eaton

The Skyros Quartet investigates innovations in how chamber music is taught and how an evolution in pedagogy elevated the genre to its current standards. Featuring special guests: James Dunham and Annie Fullard

Historically Informed Performance -- or HIP --became a movement in Western classical music in the 1970s, changing the way many choose to perform early chamber music ever since. Featuring special guest: baroque and modern violinist Rachell Ellen Wong