The quartet, formed in Israel in 1998, includes violinists Gershon Gerchikov and Alexandra Kazovsky, violinist Sergey Tarashchansky, and cellist Amit Even-Tov, all 21 years old. The group has studied at NEC for the last two years.

The top prize in the senior winds competition, which includes a $3,000 prize, went to ViM, an ensemble from the Eastman School of Music.

Founded in 1973 by Joseph E. Fischoff and the South Bend Chamber Music Society, the competition is now the largest chamber music competition in the United States, with 58 participating ensembles this year.

Previous winners include the Jupiter String Quartet, Mir‹ String Quartet, and Miami String Quartet