1987-1996
The Beginning Years
1996
Invited to perform at the Open Chamber Music session at Prussia Cove in Cornwall, UK.
Performed at the Banff Center for the Arts in Canada.
1995
Performance of complete cycle of Bartok’s six String Quartets in 6 centres throughout New Zealand (Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Palmerston North, Hamilton); including all 6 quartets performed in one day in Hamilton.
Inaugural Nelson (now Adam) Summer School for Chamber Music, with Michael Houstoun (piano).
Performed at the Banff Center for the Arts in Canada.
1994
Helene Pohl joins as first violinist.
Rolf Gjelsten joins as cellist.
1993
Departure of Josephine Young.
Musica Viva tour.
1992
First Nelson (now Adam) Chamber Music Festival.
Departure of Wilma Smith.
1991
NZSQ is formally appointed Quartet-in-Residence at Victoria University of Wellington.
1990
NZSQ becomes an independent entity and NZSQ Trust is established.
Maureen Revell employed as Manager to provide dedicated administrative support to the Quartet.
First performance at NZ International Festival of the Arts, playing Mendelssohn Octet with Lindsay String Quartet.
First tour for Musica Viva.
1989
Departure of Sandro Constantino; Douglas Beilman joins as second violinist; Gillian Ansell (founding member) switches from second violin to viola.
Music Federation of New Zealand hands over responsibility for the NZSQ to the newly-formed New Zealand String Quartet Trust
1988
The Quartet gives its first public concerts, including a tour for the Music Federation of New Zealand's associate societies.
1987
New Zealand String Quartet established under the auspices of the Music Federation of New Zealand (later to become Chamber Music New Zealand). Foundation members are Wilma Smith (1st violin), Gillian Ansell (2nd violin), Sandro Costantino (viola) and Josephine Young (cello).
The Quartet gives its first performance at Bruce Greenfield's house in Oriental Bay, Wellington in December.