Partnerships

From 1998 to 2008, violist Joanna Emerson led the Armonioso String Quartet, working with Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and other graduates.  By 2003 a partnership was formed, sponsored by Christopher and Joanna Emerson, to provide the most outstanding RSAMD graduates with concert experience and the opportunity to launch their professional careers. 

 

The Armonioso String Quartet has performed at Pollok House, the Isle of Man, Governement House and  annually at Brodie Castle, Orton House and Aberdeen Cathedral.  There have also been invitations to Brussels to perform at the British Ambassadors Residence and repeat visits to “La Chataigneriai”, home of the former Belgian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

 

To publicise the partnership and assist the RSAMD graduates to enter the world of work, articles about the quartet have appeared in The Classic FM Magazine, The Classical Music Magazine, The STRAD and the Music Teacher Magazine.  Academy students who have performed with the quartet include: Amelie Addison, Stephanie Brough, Amy Cardigan, Shona Dysart, Gergely Horvath, Liam Lynch, Heather MacIntyre, Emily MacPhearson, Manab Naskar, Kirsty Orton, Jennifer Robbie, Katie Rush, Susan Watson and Elizabeth Webster.

 

Joanna and Christopher wrote how “impressed we have been by the way the musicians have grown during the time they have been with the quartet and by the fact that they have appreciated the experience”.

 

Joanna Emerson retires from the Armonioso String Quartet following their performances in December 2008.  The Academy is grateful to the Emerson’s for their philanthropy and commitment to a new generation of string players.