The Cerus Quartet steps into the spotlight this summer as featured artists-in-residence with Classical IPR’s Sound Garden Project.
From June 24 to 26, they are offering a series of free pop-up concerts and performances throughout Frankfort and northern Michigan.
The group derives its name from Greek mythology. Cerus, a wild bull, is calmed by the goddess Persephone. It's a story of "chaos tamed into beauty," mirroring the quartet's vision to "reimagine the saxophone" as an expressive instrument central to 21st-century classical music.
Cerus has quickly built a national reputation. In 2025, they claimed Grand Prize at the Concert Artists Guild Competition and recently earned the Gold Medal at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
They are also previous MTNA National Chamber Music Competition winners and First Prize and Michigan Prize winners of the 2023 Briggs Chamber Music Competition.
Here are some of the IPR Sound Garden concerts you can attend:
- Tuesday, June 24 at 1 PM — Pop-up concert, downtown Frankfort
- Wednesday, June 25 at 1 PM — Pop-up concert, downtown Frankfort
- Thursday, June 26 at 7 PM — Full concert, Oliver Art Center (reserve free tickets here)
Hear from the artists themselves in interviews with hosts Nancy Deneen and Scott Clemens. Click "Listen" below. New conversations with all 4 Cerus Quartet members coming soon.
__________
As soprano saxophonist of the Cerus Quartet, Roberto Campa is completing his D.M.A. at the University of Michigan, where he also teaches saxophone and champions new music by composers like Jennifer Higdon and Ryan Lindveit.
