This Weekend in the IU Jacobs School of Music

Chamber music lovers will have a chance to see one of the nation’s most sought after ensembles at work as the Orion String Quartet takes the Auer Hall stage Sunday afternoon. Sunday’s concert will mark the group’s final appearance as the Jacobs School of Music 2006-07 Quartet in Residence.\nAs a resident artist ensemble, the Orion String Quartet has presented both concerts and master classes during the course of the school year with the goal of “balancing instrumental education … (and) bringing chamber music to the fore,” according to a statement from the school.\n“It’s really a great educational opportunity to have them here,” said Josh Tripp, a junior bassist in the School of Music.\nFaculty violist Atar Arad said the quartet will be an inspiration to students.\n“With the Orion’s activities, each time they’re on the ground in Bloomington, students will be reminded of what it takes to play at the highest possible level,” he said in the fall, when the quartet’s residency appointment was announced.\nSunday’s program will include quartets by Kirchner and Dvorak as well as the Mendelssohn octet. As usual, the ensemble will follow the concert with a master class at noon March 26 in Ford-Crawford Hall. Both events are free and open to the public.