2025 Fischoff Competition Winds Gold Medal Winner Cerus Quartet returns to the Midwest for their Gold Medal Tour!
Founded in 2020, the Cerus Quartet focuses on showcasing the dynamic, versatile sound worlds of the saxophone quartet, programming everything from contemporary compositions to transcriptions of traditional repertoire.
Demonstrating a strong commitment to collaborating with diverse contemporary composers, Cerus has premiered new works by Karalyn Schubring, Jennifer Higdon, and Joey Karz, with an exciting new piece by Ryan Lindveit forthcoming. Most recently, the quartet won the Senior Wind Division Gold Medal at the 2025 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Cerus was also awarded First Prize in the 2024 MTNA National Chamber Music Competition, Senior Wind Silver Medal in the 2023 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, and First Prize and Michigan Prize in the 2023 Briggs Chamber Music Competition.
Performing across the U.S. and internationally, Cerus recently appeared at the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival, where they emphasized education and community engagement, presenting interactive workshops as well as community performances designed to inspire and connect with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. In the summer of 2025, the quartet participated in the IPR Sound Garden Project, bringing innovative performances to public and community spaces. They were also featured as concerto soloists with the University of Michigan Symphony Band Chamber Winds, performing Chen Yi’s Ba Yin. Based in Ann Arbor, the ensemble is composed of Roberto Campa (soprano saxophone), Laura Ramsay (alto), Kyle Kato (tenor), and Samuel Dishon (baritone).
Their name draws from Greek mythology—Cerus was a wild bull transformed by the goddess Persephone, a story of chaos tamed into beauty. This myth mirrors the quartet’s artistic vision: to reimagine the saxophone as a medium of beauty and expressive depth, deserving of a central role in 21st-century classical music.
2025 Fischoff Competition Winds Gold Medal Winner Cerus Quartet returns to the Midwest for their Gold Medal Tour!
Founded in 2020, the Cerus Quartet focuses on showcasing the dynamic, versatile sound worlds of the saxophone quartet, programming everything from contemporary compositions to transcriptions of traditional repertoire.
Demonstrating a strong commitment to collaborating with diverse contemporary composers, Cerus has premiered new works by Karalyn Schubring, Jennifer Higdon, and Joey Karz, with an exciting new piece by Ryan Lindveit forthcoming. Most recently, the quartet won the Senior Wind Division Gold Medal at the 2025 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Cerus was also awarded First Prize in the 2024 MTNA National Chamber Music Competition, Senior Wind Silver Medal in the 2023 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, and First Prize and Michigan Prize in the 2023 Briggs Chamber Music Competition.
Performing across the U.S. and internationally, Cerus recently appeared at the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival, where they emphasized education and community engagement, presenting interactive workshops as well as community performances designed to inspire and connect with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. In the summer of 2025, the quartet participated in the IPR Sound Garden Project, bringing innovative performances to public and community spaces. They were also featured as concerto soloists with the University of Michigan Symphony Band Chamber Winds, performing Chen Yi’s Ba Yin. Based in Ann Arbor, the ensemble is composed of Roberto Campa (soprano saxophone), Laura Ramsay (alto), Kyle Kato (tenor), and Samuel Dishon (baritone).
Their name draws from Greek mythology—Cerus was a wild bull transformed by the goddess Persephone, a story of chaos tamed into beauty. This myth mirrors the quartet’s artistic vision: to reimagine the saxophone as a medium of beauty and expressive depth, deserving of a central role in 21st-century classical music.
Website: www.cerusquartet.com
YouTube: @cerusquartet
Instagram: @cerusquartet
Learn more about Fischoff’s Double Gold Tour.
TOUR SCHEDULE:
¹Free public performance
²Ticketed public performance
³Invitation only
Sunday, September 21, 4:00 PM (EST)
DeBartolo Performing Arts Center Presenting Artists Series,²
LaBar Family Recital Hall, O’Neill Music Center, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Monday, September 22
Various educational outreach programs, Mishawaka & South Bend, IN³
Tuesday, September 23
Various educational outreach programs, St. Joseph, MI³
Wednesday, September 24, 12:15 PM (CST)
Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, Chicago, IL¹
Broadcast live on WFMT 98.7FM and streamed live at www.wfmt.com
Thursday, September 25
Barrington White House Concert, Barrington, IL²
Friday, September 26
Various educational outreach programs, Barrington, IL³
Saturday, September 27
Fischoff Chamber Music Academy Kick-off Meeting, South Bend, IN³
Sunday, September 28, 7:00 PM (EST)
Andrews University, Howard Performing Arts Series, Berrien Springs, MI²
Monday, September 29
Various educational outreach programs, Mishawaka & South Bend, IN³
Tuesday, September 30
Various educational outreach programs, South Bend, IN³
Details
Organizer