Melbourne musicians TinAlley String Quartet win Canada's prestigious Banff Centre Music Prize.
The quartet beat out nine other acts from around the world to score the $20,000 (A$23,100) first prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition. The prize was presented at an award ceremony on Sunday at The Banff Centre, the internationally recognised arts and cultural centre in Alberta, Canada.The quartet - made up of Kristian Winther and Lerida Delbridge on violin, Justin Williams on viola and Michelle Wood on cello - have studied around the world. They are currently the "Quartet In Residence" at Melbourne University, and are named after the Tin Alley lane that runs through the campus. They had previously won the 2005 Australian Chamber Music Competition, and the $30,000 Tony Berg Award.
TinAlley String Quartet continue their globetrotting in 2008, presenting two recitals at that Norwich and Norfolk Chamber Music Series in the UK as well as enjoying a North American and European tour arranged by the Banff Centre as part of their prize. The centre will also produce a CD for the group.
