The Calidore String Quartet has won the inaugural University of Michigan M-Prize. This international competition based at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance, aims to “identify and showcase the highest caliber of international chamber arts ensembles”. Calidore’s Grand Prize carries with it an award of $100,000 and a performance on a UMS Chamber Arts Series concert.

The competition was held in three categories, strings, winds and open, each with a $20,000 First Prize. There were 172 applicants from 13 countries for the competition. From them, 29 semi-finalists were chosen to come for the on-campus part of the competition. The final round concluded May 19th, 2016, with the Grand Prize winner selected from among the three First Prize winners. The jury for the competition was made up of a wide array of highly respected musicians and teachers. An excellent article by Laurie Niles on Calidore’s success appears at Violinist.com.