Spire Quartet

Nick Miceli, violin
Sara Barbagallo, violin
Emma Amery, viola
Fergus Ascot, cello

Named after the iconic Melbourne Arts Centre Spire which pierces the skyline from the upper levels of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM), Spire Quartet brings together four dedicated young musicians from the MCM across their third and fourth years of study. Formed in early 2022 for the MCM String Ensemble’s quartet program, the group consists of Nick Miceli and Sara Barbagallo on violin, Emma Amery on viola, and Fergus Ascot on cello. Like the Spire, the Quartet seeks to aim for the skies and achieve new heights with their performances, hoping to impart the unique combination of power, beauty, and delicacy that only chamber music can bring.

Working steadily since their inaugural performance in the Conservatorium’s Hanson Dyer Hall earlier this year, Spire Quartet has developed a taste for a diverse set of repertoire, performing classics of Beethoven and Mozart alongside Janáček and folk music. The quartet has been mentored by members of the MCM faculty and has participated in a masterclass with members of the Australian Chamber Orchestra. All four members are equally as passionate about orchestral playing as they are chamber and are actively involved in the MCM Symphony Orchestra where they are all principal players.

Spire Quartet is very grateful to be given this opportunity and all members are looking forward to performing in the MIMIR Chamber Festival.