University of Utah Graduate Vocal Quartet with: Daniel Tuutau (baritone), Clara Hurtado Lee (soprano), Gretchen Windt (mezzo-soprano) and David Sauer (tenor). Not pictured: Jed Moss (piano)

Most of us are familiar with string quartets, piano quartets, wind quartets and even barbershop and gospel quartets. But maybe not so familiar with classical vocal quartets. However, the tradition is older than you might think. Brahms and Schubert both wrote lots of music for four voices for salon performances; and then, of course, in opera there are plenty of instances when four singers claim the stage at once; and both Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and the Verdi Requiem feature vocal quartets too. 

In this hour the University of Utah’s Graduate Vocal Quartet joins us in studio. The quartet is one of the premiere voice ensembles at the university and is comprised entirely of Doctoral Students in Voice.  The singers participate in outreach efforts for the School of Music and past performances include Kingsbury Hall, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, American Legion, Rotary Club, the Presidents and Provosts of the PAC12 Universities. 

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