Named after Maud Powell (1867-1920), America’s first international violin superstar (who grew up in Aurora, Illinois), this premier string quartet from the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra is coached by Karen Basrak, cellist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The members include Jacob Song (Barrington High School), Mike Priller (Rolling Meadows High School), Claire Wright (Home schooled), and Paul Christian (Glenbard West High School).
Each year, the quartet works with a star-studded list of guest artists, and coaches which have included Midori, Rachel Barton Pine, Jaime Laredo, Isabella Lippi, Roland Vamos, Brant Taylor, and members of the Pacifica Quartet. With an active rehearsal and performance schedule, the quartet has explored the quartets of Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Dvorák, Ravel, and Shostakovich. In addition, the quartet has played contemporary works. Daniel Brewbaker’s String Quartet No. 3 was written for and premiered by the MPSQ.
The MSPQ is offered tuition free each year since it was founded in 2007 through the generosity of EYSO patrons Ed and Joyce McFarland Dlugopolski.