THE Eboracum Quartet, from the University of York, are joined by mezzo-soprano Lisa J Coates for a one-off recital in the De Grey Rooms, York, tomorrow night.

This classical quartet was founded in 2007 for outstanding undergraduate and postgraduate string players who are studying at the university.

The ever-evolving format of the quartet sees members being re-auditioned every year, and such is the high standard that past players have gone on to careers as professional musicians.

Those chosen for the quartet perform widely, showcasing a diverse repertoire that ranges from Mozart, Debussy, Schubert and Shostakovich to world premieres.

Eboracum alumni have participated in workshops with illustrious ensembles such as the Kreutzer Quartet, and the Wilheim Quartet. The 2013 members, violinist Sophie Simpson and Richard Powell, viola player Bella Clifford and cellist Kristina Craven, have been working with the international group Quator Diotima.

They followed those workshops by performing at the Rotary International Conference in Scarborough, and now the Eboracum musicians return to home soil for tomorrow’s recital of Barber’s Dover Beach, Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Vaughan Williams’s Along The Field.

The 7.30pm programme will be concluded by their premiere of Desmond Clarke’s new arrangement of Berlioz’s Les Nuits d’Eté with Lisa J Coates.

Lisa studied music in Britain and Canada and, as a young singer, she won many awards and bursaries, worked with Sir Thomas Allen, Lynne Dawson, Emma Kirkby and Gavin Bryars and gained her MA in vocal performance with John Potter.

She has performed with the Northern Sinfonia Chorus, The 24, Juice and Black Hair and has sung in China, Spain, Germany, and Italy with a repertoire that spans medieval to contemporary classical music, jazz, pop, rock and folk.

Her commercial recordings include The Bee Symphony and Roger Marsh’s Faust for BBC Radio 3. She is at present collaborating with New York composer Kevin Jones and is a founding member and artistic director of Lare Canteras (Singers of Lore).

“I’m thrilled to be working with the Eboracum Quartet on the Desmond Clarke premiere,” says Lisa.

Tickets can be booked on 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Did you know?

Eboracum Quartet violinist Richard Powell reviews classical concerts for The Press.