Peter Slowik

Biography

Profiled by the Strad magazine as “a man of limitless energy and purpose—he mentors high achievers who make their mark in top positions the world over,” Peter Slowik is in high demand as an artist-teacher. He has been a featured performer and teacher at six International Viola Congresses and has recorded on the Deutsche Grammophon, deutsche harmonia mundi/BMG, American Grammophone, Erato, and Cedille labels.

An active chamber musician, Slowik has performed with William Preucil, Anner Bylsma, and Leonard Rose; the Mirecourt Trio, the Jasper, Saint Petersburg, and Vermeer Quartets; the Smithsonian Chamber Players; and members of the Cleveland, Chester, Orford, and Smithson Quartets. Past orchestral associations include service as principal violist of the Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra, Concertante di Chicago, and the American Sinfonietta. Master-class appearances have taken him to Australia, New Zealand, China, Europe, Canada, and major conservatories across the U.S.

Past teaching posts include Northwestern University, Indiana University, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and the Eastman School of Music.

Slowik's viola students have won first prize in numerous competitions, including the ASTA National Solo Competition, the Johannsen International Competition, the Ohio and Chicago Viola Society Solo Competitions, the Juilliard Concerto Competition, and the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. They perform in such major American orchestras as the Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and National Symphony, and in university appointments throughout the country.

In addition to his role on the Oberlin faculty, Slowik serves as artistic director for the chamber music program Credo.