The Vogler String Quartet from Berlin is to become quartet-in-residence in Sligo. Its appointment, which takes effect in the autumn, is part of a project to develop music in the Sligo area.
It follows an international selection process in which applications were received from the US and Russia as well as closer to home.
The members of the quartet, who have played together for 15 years, have already established a distinguished international reputation, and recorded a wide repertoire on the RCA label.
They have been regular visitors here since first playing for the Limerick Music Association in 1988, and have clocked up more than 35 concerts at venues all over the country.
Their work in Sligo will involve them heavily with the local community, opening up access to music performance and engaging with young people through educational work.
The quartet's leader, Tim Vogler, said: "We are proud to be chosen as the first ever Sligo string-quartet-in-residence. Ireland can be proud to be the first in Europe to realise such an ambitious project.
"Since 1988 we have developed a strong link with Irish chamber music lovers through our annual concerts here. The residency is an exciting idea and very inspiring to us. We have always aspired to develop a love of music in young people, as they are the audiences of the future.
"Our work in Sligo will allow us to work directly with children, and we look forward to linking our work there with our international career of 50-60 concerts per season."
The ground-breaking residency has been made possible by a novel partnership between local and national agencies, Sligo County Council, Sligo Corporation, Music Network and the Arts Council.
The Sligo County Manager, Mr Hubert Kearns, said: "Having such prestigious musicians living and working in the county will be of great benefit to the people of Sligo, and we all look forward to exciting times ahead".
Music Network's chief executive, Mr John O'Kane, described the project as "great news for Sligo and great news for everyone involved in music development in Ireland." The Arts Council's music officer, Ms Maura Eaton, said: "The residency represents a significant development both in the provision of music performance and education in the north-west and in local/national partnership funding".
