Success reflects Spartan sense of collaboration | Michigan State University College of Music

THE RESULTS ARE IN!

Individual headshots collaged together of Chang Li, Ming-Jung Cheng, and Yu Xin

Formed in September 2020, Clover Trio consists of doctoral students (from left) Chang Li, piano; Ming-Jung Cheng, cello; and Yu Xin, violin.

In the wind section of the MTNA National Chamber Music Competition, saxophone quartet Sound Session – featuring MSU’s Matt Fox, Jacob Nance, Jeffrey Allardyce, and Tyler Young – took first place.

In the string section of the MTNA National Chamber Music Competition, Clover Trio – featuring MSU’s Yu Xin, violin, Mira Cheng, cello, and Chang Li, piano – took third place.

Also in the wind section of the competition, the saxophonists in Quartet Samod – MSU’s Nathan Salazar, Kaylee Bernard, Evan Harris, and Emmet Harris – earned finalist status, meaning they placed in the top 7 nationally.

Congratulations to all of the students!

(original announcement below)

Quartet Samod is (from left), Evan Harris, Emmet Harris, Kaylee Bernard, and Nathan Salazar.

Michigan State University’s College of Music will send more chamber groups than any college or music conservatory in the United States to the finals of the nation’s premiere chamber music competition this spring.

The Clover Trio, Quartet Samod, and Sound Session will compete as finalists in the 2021-22 Music Teachers National Association String and Wind Competitions from March 26-30 during the annual MTNA conference. The piano trio and two saxophone quartets are among just 14 groups selected through a rigorous application process and multi-tiered competition to participate in this year’s event.

Professor of Piano Derek Polischuk coaches the Clover Trio—an ensemble of MSU graduate students studying piano, cello, and violin. He said the MTNA is arguably the biggest chamber music competition in the country for collegiate musicians. Making the final cut, he said, is a huge accomplishment that puts MSU student groups in the national spotlight, and opens doors for professional and academic opportunities.

Members of saxophone quartet Sound Session include (from left) Matt Fox, Jacob Nance, Tyler Young, and Jeffrey Allardyce.

“Having three groups make the MTNA finals shows that MSU is one of the premiere places to study chamber music,” said Polischuk. “Collaboration and cooperation is essential for chamber music. Our faculty is exceptionally collaborative, which sets the tone and helps prepare these groups for success.”

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, the groups pre-recorded and submitted their entries for the final round, which will be streamed by MTNA on March 28th and 29th. Clover Trio’s entry consists of two pieces: Trio No. 1 in B-Flat Major by Franz Schubert and the Four Seasons of Buenos Aires—a set of tangos written by Astor Piazzolla.

This year marks the first high-level competition for the Clover Trio. Formed in September 2020, the group consists of Chang Li, a doctoral student in piano performance studying with Polischuk; Ming-Jung Cheng, a doctoral student in cello performance studying with Professor of Cello Suren Bagratuni; and Yu Xin, a doctoral student in violin performance studying with Professor of Violin Dmitri Berlinsky. All three had significant experiences as soloists, but none had worked or performed extensively in a chamber group.

Chang leads the trio, blending his musical fortes with the talents of the two string players. He said Yu Xin has a strong sense of cooperation, as well as a unique musical aesthetic. Ming-Jung Cheng brings a sensitive ear and strict attention to musical expression.

“I think the most direct reason for my chamber group’s success is that we have a superb educational environment at MSU that includes excellent coaches, artists in residence, and performance opportunities,” he said. “At the same time, we devote ourselves to the preparatory work, trusting and encouraging each other with the combination of our strengths.”

The Clover Trio will compete in the string competition portion of MTNA, while the two saxophone ensembles will compete in the wind category. Professor of Saxophone Joe Lulloff coaches the two wind chamber groups from MSU that advanced to MTNA as well as to another renowned chamber music competition, the 2022 North American Saxophone Alliance Quartet Competition.

Eight MSU saxophone students make up the two quartets. Quartet Samod is Nathan Salazar, Kaylee Bernard, Evan Harris, and Emmet Harris. Sound Session is Matt Fox, Jacob Nance, Jeffrey Allardyce, and Tyler Young.

Lulloff said all students in his studio demonstrate the cooperative support and dedication needed to perform chamber music at the highest level. He pointed out that two additional MSU saxophone quartets—Clap7 and PULSE—are also slated to participate in the upcoming NASA Quartet Competition.

“It’s absolutely fantastic to see our music students doing so well in their premiere national chamber music competitions,” said Lulloff. “Our saxophonists have adopted a strong supportive and vibrant culture of music making. Their dedication to performing of some the most difficult chamber music of our repertoire is truly inspiring to witness. I always feel invigorated after every coaching session. They are all true professionals and it is so exciting to see their musical and artistic growth. Bravissimo to all these wonderful musicians.”