Starting at the end of May, the world-renowned and critically acclaimed Borealis String Quartet now serves as Kwantlen Polytechnic University鈥檚 (KPU) String Quartet-in-Residence.
Founded in Vancouver in 2000, the Borealis is celebrated and acknowledged internationally for its fiery and passionate music. Described as 鈥渃ompellingly emotive,鈥 鈥渞hapsodic鈥 and 鈥渇our of the biggest young talents,鈥 the dynamic quartet has served as String Quartet-in-Residence across North America at various universities and music festivals.
The group has performed to sold-out audiences from Los Angeles to New York, and from Rome to Beijing. For the next year, they will be sharing their worldly experiences and talent with music students in Surrey, 91原创, Richmond, Delta and Vancouver from a new home base at KPU 91原创, through a partnership with the university鈥檚 department of music.
鈥淭he Borealis String Quartet are exceptional, compelling musicians with whom we are absolutely thrilled to partner.
鈥淜PU is excited to develop our long-term relationship with this amazing quartet to benefit our students, faculty and the communities we serve,鈥 said Diane Purvey, Dean of the Faculty of Arts. During their time in residence, the Borealis will perform at Borealis String Fests alongside groups that include the Surrey Symphony Society鈥檚 youth orchestra, Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra and West Vancouver Youth Band鈥檚 string ensembles.
They will also help build a pre-post-secondary string program through KPU鈥檚 continuing education programming, and form scholarship opportunities for young musical talents.
A chamber and orchestral music concert performed in conjunction with the 91原创 Fine Arts School on Tuesday, May 27 marked the start of the quartet鈥檚 residency at KPU.
More information about the event is available at kpu.ca/arts/music/bsq. To learn more visit their website at
borealisstringquartet.com