Hodgson School alums win gold, silver in Fischoff Competition

Two alumni from the Hugh Hodgson School of Music were part of quartets which won gold and silver medals at the recent 2017 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition:

Gabriel Pique (B. Mus. - Saxophone ’15), of Fuego Quartet, and Brandon Quarles (B. Mus. - Saxophone ’15), of ~Nois, were named gold and silver medal winners, respectively, in the Senior Wind Division. 

“This is a marvelous accomplishment for these alumni and for the School of Music saxophone studio,” said Dale Monson, director of the Hodgson School.

Though they both attend different schools now for their graduate studies—Pique at the Eastman School of Music, Quarles at Northwestern University—the saxophone students were close while at the Hodgson School.

“Gabe and Brandon were in a quartet together all four years at UGA,” said Connie Frigo, associate professor of saxophone, who taught Pique and Quarles.   

“Most notably, in 2015 they were in Milk Quartet, which advanced to the Music Teachers National Association chamber music national finals and traveled to Moscow as part of HHSOM's exchange program with Gnessins Institute. It was remarkable to see them both competing for the top prize at Fischoff. I couldn't be prouder.”

The 44th annual Fischoff Competition included participants from 31 states and 28 countries. Founded in 1973, Fischoff began with six competing ensembles and is today the largest chamber music competition in the world.

Congratulations to Pique, Quarles and professor Frigo on these distinguished achievements. The Hodgson School of Music expands its national reputation for excellence with every honor accorded to students, faculty and alumni. We are all insprired by UGA students following their passions and succeeding.

Image: musicians Gabriel Pique, left, and Brandon Quarles