About PQA 

PUBLIQ Access (PQA) is an ongoing genre-independent initiative that commissions new works for string quartet by emerging composers living within the U.S. PUBLIQuartet brings widespread exposure of these works, regardless of style, to concert-goers and engages audiences with talks, panels, and free concerts. This is a unique opportunity for composers to work with an ensemble that specializes in improvised, world, jazz, non-notated, and electronic music.

Through a free application process, composers submit a project proposal and work samples. Selected composers will receive a commission fee and participate in a year-long collaboration to develop a new work with PUBLIQuartet. This collaboration includes residencies and work-in-progress performances.

Each PQA cycle culminates in a high profile premiere performance. PQA works have been premiered at the Dimenna Center in New York City, Washington Performing Arts in D.C., and the Workhouse Prison Museum in Vienna, Virginia. These events often feature post-concert discussions between the audience and distinguished composers, performers, and academics. Past discussion panelists have included Tania León, Marcos Balter, Nadia Sirota, Mark Steinberg, David Bowlin, and Laura Kaminsky.

Within the last two years, PUBLIQuartet has represented the PQA composers on over 80 concerts on tour and high profile events including their residency at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Carnegie Hall debut, and debut album on CAG Records.

Since PQA’s inception in 2014:

• 15 new PQA works joined PQ’s repertoire

• 100+ performances across the U.S. featured PQA works

• Over 10,000 audience members have heard PQA works