Violinist Sam Parrini and cellist Drake Driscoll replace departing founding violinist Clara Kim and cellist Mariel Roberts
The US-based Argus Quartet has welcomed two new members, violinist Sam Parrini and cellist Drake Driscoll, following the departure of founding violinist Clara Kim and cellist Mariel Roberts. They join existing members violinist Giancarlo Latta and violist Maren Rothfritz.
Violinist Sam Parrini is a recent Juilliard School graduate and a teaching artist for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, where Drake Driscoll also teaches. Parrini has performed as a soloist with the McGill, Beaufort and Clemson Symphony Orchestras. He commented: ‘I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the talented and dedicated artists of the Argus Quartet and I look forward to our journey together.’
Cellist Driscoll is also the co-founder and executive director of The Vision Collective, an ensemble that works to build relationships with and among refugees and recent immigrants to the US by sharing music between diverse communities. ‘I’m beyond excited to join forces with the Argus Quartet. From our first experiences working together, I felt an immediate sense of connection,’ she said. ‘I’m particularly inspired by the quartet’s dedication to education and community engagement, and I can’t wait to contribute to these efforts.’
Formed in Los Angeles in 2013, the Argus Quartet won first prize at both the M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition in 2017 and the Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition in 2023. The ensemble has performed at Carnegie Hall and premiered newly commissioned works by Joseph Bohigian, Leilehua Lanzilotti and Jessica Meyer.
‘We are so excited to welcome Sam and Drake,’ said violist Maren Rothfritz. ‘They are both incredible musicians and people, and we feel they embody the spirit of Argus and our mission of exploring a wide-ranging repertoire, bringing new works to life and connecting with communities through performing, education and commissioning.’
‘We want to express our deep gratitude to Mariel for her artistic contributions to the group, and especially to Clara for her tireless commitment to Argus from its founding in 2013,’ says violinist Giancarlo Latta. ‘We thank both Mariel and Clara for many treasured musical moments that will continue to inspire us in the ensemble’s next chapter.’
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