Royal Northern College of Music, Todmorden, 2001
![[Yeoman String Quartet]](images/older/yeoman2.jpg)
Robert Yeomans, violin
Anne Bunemann, violin
Louise Lansdown, viola
Gabriel Waite, cello
The Yeomans String Quartet were formed in September 1998 at the Royal Northern College of Music.
As well as having performed around Britain, they have played in Germany, Italy and South Africa.
Highlights this year include an appearance at the Chichester Festival, recording the world premiere of Arthur Sullivan's String Quartet and performing in a live premiere broadcast, James MacMillan's 'Cumnock Fair' on Radio 3. They will come to Todmorden fresh from a tour of Northern Germany, and they will be participating in the International Shostakovich Competition held in Moscow in September 2001.
They have recorded a series of Haydn String Quartets on CD, which was released with a book titled 'Haydn the Innovator' during Beethovenfest.
Robert Yeomans was born in Bridlington, East Yorkshire and began studying the violin at the age of seven. At thirteen Robert led the National Children's Orchestra, and two years later began lessons with the Russian soloist, Lydia Mordkovitch. Whilst studying with Lydia he was invited to lead the Humberside Youth Orchestra, East Riding Youth Orchestra and shortly afterwards was awarded a place at the Royal Northern College of Music to continue studying with Lydia. In September 1997 Robert began three years of study under Richard Ireland. During his period of study at the RNCM Robert was the winner of the Hirsch Prize, the Nossek Prize, a finalist in the Royal Overseas League and was awarded the Sir John Barbirolli Award for outstanding String Quartet playing in two consecutive years. Robert is also a freelance violinist with various orchestras. He is playing on a 1989 David Rubio violin.
Anne Bunemann was born in Stuttgart, and began studying the violin at the age of six. She became leader of the Westfalischen Jugenkammerorchester, and later a member of the Prometheus Chamber Orchestra. Anne began studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in September 1998 with Yossi Zivoni, and graduated with the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Studies in Musical Performance in December 2000. She has participated in a number of quartet masterclasses. Anne plays on a Collin Mezin violin.
Louise Lansdown was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and began viola lessons at age thirteen. In 1998 Louise was awarded the ABRSM Overseas Scholarship to study at the Royal Northern College of Music. She now teaches viola and chamber music at the University of Manchester, RNCM, Chetham's Specialist School of Music, and is violist of the Yeomans String Quartet. Louise is a student of Dr. Alan George and currently plays on a 1764 Paolo Antonio Testore.
Gabriel Waite was born in Chichester, West Sussex and began studying piano aged six and cello aged eleven. He won numerous cello prizes at the Chichester Music Festival, and in 1992 was awarded the 'Most Promising Musician' prize. In 1993 he was runner-up in the Sir Malcolm Sargeant Competition. Gabriel began his studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in 1994. He was a founder member of the Eborn Piano Trio in his third year at the RNCM. This ensemble performed throughout the United Kingdom, and in 1997 were awarded Trio the chamber music prize at the Woking Music Festival, and the RNCM Granada Prize for Chamber Music. The same year also saw the formation of the Yeomans String Quartet. Gabriel has now settled in Manchester, and enjoys a busy career with various chamber orchestras and ensembles. Gabriel is currently playing on a Mittenwald cello.