Residency / MERITA
A unique and innovative talent development program
What if the string quartet were invented today—what would it look like? Every two years, three young string quartets embark on a four-week program to explore the fascinating universe of the string quartet. Together with other experienced musicians and creative minds, they discover the magical dynamics within this small but powerful ecosystem; the richness of the repertoire; the many connections you can make to other art forms and how to approach them; the interplay between each individual quartet member and the ensemble; and above all, how you can contribute your own creative potential and allow it to flourish within your quartet.
SQBA Residency #2 took place from October 2023 until October 2024 with Atenea Quartet (SP) | Kleio Quartet (UK) | Viride Quartet (NL).
SQBA Residency #1 took place from October 2021 until September 2022 with Quarteto Tejo (PT) | Belinfante Quartet (NL) | Karski Quartet (PL/BE).
With this programme, we feel the Biennale can see inside of our shared quartet brain and knows exactly what we need.
Belinfante Quartet, the Netherlands
From the SQBA Residency we expect that which we could not expect from real life: a string quartet lab where the boundaries are limitless, a place where knowledge is deepened and our human and artistic values will soar to heights not reached before.
Quarteto Tejo, Portugal
We appreciate that the Residency has such a wide scope. We'd like to concentrate on performing and creating, which is a learning process in itself.
Karski Quartet, Belgium
Tutors
The core team of the SQBA Residency consists of three permanent tutors and the artistic team of the String Quartet Biennale. Together, they shape the teaching and workshop program. Additionally, we invite a number of guest tutors, including Tabea Zimmermann (violist and educator), Jonathan Brown (former member of the Casals Quartet), Emma Bonnici (vocalist and dancer), and Francisca Rijken (embodiment and stage presence).
Annette Walther (Signum Quartett)
Annette Walther is a founding member and second violin of the international renowned Signum Quartet. In addition to her career with the Signum Quartet, Annette loves sharing the stage as a violinist with other musicians at international chamber music festivals. In 2016, Annette has been appointed as violin lecturer at the Louis Spohr Music Academy in Kassel.
Ivar Berix
From 1987 on, Ivar was the clarinetist of the Dutch reed quintet Calefax. A close-knit ensemble that has maintained a reputation for more than 35 years on the basis of virtuoso playing, brilliant arrangements and a fresh stage presentation. In 2020 Ivar left the group after 33 successful years and has been sharing all the experience and inspiration he has gained ever since. He does so in the role of ensemble coach, team coach and listening coach.
Mark Withers
Clarinettist Mark Withers performs old music and creates new music working alongside the widest possible range of musicians. Mark has a special interest in music for people with sickness and disability. He has helped to establish new creative education and outreach programmes with ensembles including the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and the Orquesta Nacional de España and he currently directs ongoing programmes with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Festival d’Aix. Mark has played a central role in the establishment of the SQBA Residency.
SQBA Residency & Merita
SQBA Residency #3 will commence in autumn 2026. Would you like to learn more about the next SQBA Residency and MERITA? Then send an email to residency@sqba.nl.
MERITA
Where chamber Music, cultural hERItage and TAlent meet.
The SQBA Residency is part of a partnership called MERITA, supported
by the European Union and initiated by Le Dimore del Quartetto.
MERITA is an online and offline platform that increases the visibility
and circulation of emerging European string quartets while promoting
European cultural heritage.
The four objectives of Merita:
- Promoting chamber music in Europe through special projects
- Improving and developing careers of young emerging string quartets
- Innovating the chamber music industry and creating new job opportunities for young musicians
- Promoting a sustainable business model that unites emerging
chamber music artists, audiences, and cultural heritage, fostering
the exchange of best practices and competitiveness for artists
Merita in numbers:
- 17 organisations from 12 countries
- 38 string quartest with 152 musicians
- 156 concerts
- 30 historic houses
- 3 years
MERITA concerts 2025
Meet the young string quartets and participants of MERITA! In the first half of 2025, String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam presents eleven concerts with young emerging European string quartets in historic and exceptional venues within the MERITA programme. You can find an overview of these concerts here.
Our Partners
Koninklijke Visio
The String Quartet Biennale also aims to reach people who are less likely to visit the concert hall. We chose to focus on blind and visually impaired individuals. Listening to (classical) music and attending concerts is an enriching and essential experience for this group.
Artistic director and festival founder Yasmin Hilberdink has a progressive genetic eye condition herself. As her vision declines, music will play an increasingly important role in her life. From this personal motivation, the String Quartet Biennale took the initiative to collaborate with Koninklijke Visio, with the Oogvereniging also joining the partnership. Together with these experienced and committed partners, we have launched a sustainable initiative to make the festival and the Muziekgebouw more accessible and user-friendly for this audience. This also applies to our website and other communications, such as newsletters and program brochures.
This collaboration took shape in a special program. During the SQBA Residency, the participating quartets worked with a group of visually impaired singers led by music therapist Jorien Habing and Residency tutor Mark Withers.
From this encounter and these joint sessions, the performance TRUST was born, featuring the Belinfante Quartet, the Karski Quartet, a choir of visually impaired singers. TRUST was a resounding success at the String Quartet Biennale 2024 and was also presented at Festival Wonderfeel and Festival Classique in The Hague.
Donate & support the SQBA Residency
The SQBA Residency is supported by a group of generous private donors. With their support we can scout and foster young emerging string quartets and offer our SQBA Residency program to the young string quartets for free.
Read more about the possibilities for giving below or email Kiki Raposo k.raposo@sqba.nl.