Four West Virginia University students have made a name for themselves over the last year as a premiere flute ensemble. Now, they’ll perform for the Morgantown community before leaving for the quarter final round of the world-renowned Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.

The BETA Quartet is made up of music performance graduate students Eftihia Arkoudis, Corfu, Greece; Tatiana Cassetta, Detroit, Michigan; Alyssa Schwartz, Jamestown, New York; and Brittany Trotter, Laurel, Mississippi.

BETA has had a busy year traveling the state and region performing in chamber music competitions and recital performances. Their list of accolades includes first prize winners of the 2016 West Virginia Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competition and the 2017 Flute Society of Kentucky Quartet Competition. They have been accepted to perform recitals and present their "4-Way Coordination" workshop at numerous flute conventions including the Florida Flute Association Convention, the Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention and the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia Flute Fair. 

Now, BETA is preparing for their biggest competition yet. The Fischoff Competition in Southbend, Indiana, is the largest chamber music competition in the world with more than 100 ensembles representing 22 nationalities entering in wind or string categories. This year’s competition runs May 12-14.

In preparation, BETA will perform their competition repertoire, which includes “Dances of the Lakes for Flute Quartet” by Mark Fromm and “Steeley Pause” by Jennifer Higdon, during a free, public recital at 7 p.m. May 9 in Bloch Hall at the Creative Arts Center.

“The BETA Quartet has had quite a year filled with extraordinary accomplishments,” said Keith Jackson, director of the School of Music. “Their qualification for the finals of the Fischoff Competition is the culmination of a year of tremendous artistic growth and I am proud that they are receiving well-deserved accolades.”