Nationally acclaimed quartet to perform at Augustana College

Augustana will welcome the return of the Arianna String Quartet, a nationally recognized ensemble, at Wallenberg Hall in the Denkmann Memorial Building (3520 7th Ave.) on Friday, March 20 at 8 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.

Founded in 1992, the St. Louis-based string quartet consists of John McGrosso, violin; David Gilham, violin; Joanna Mendoza, viola; and Kurt Baldwin, cello. In 2000, all four members were appointed to the faculty of the University of Missouri-St. Louis as Artist Teachers and Quartet-in-Residence, and more recently as associate professors of music.

The internationally known Arianna String Quartet has performed in Mexico, Japan, Canada and France, and throughout the United States—including several visits to Augustana. The multiple visits to the college have been due in part to the friendship between cellist Kurt Baldwin, originally of Iowa City, and Professor of Music Dr. Janina Ehrlich.

“They are a fabulous quartet and in great demand,” said Dr. Ehrlich, who taught Baldwin for several years. “They are such good teachers and performers. Watching and listening to them play is an experience you just don’t get to have very often.”

In addition to teaching and performing at Augustana College, Dr. Ehrlich is a member of the Board of Directors for the SBC Music and Arts Academy in Rock Island, Illinois. Dr. Ehrlich’s professional orchestral experience has included the Orquestra Sinfonica Brasiliera (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and 25 years in the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.