The Ames Piano Quartet, the resident chamber music ensemble at Iowa State University, holds a distinctive position in the chamber music field as one of the few piano quartets in the world. The combination of their lush string sound, blended with the orchestral quality of the piano, produces an exquisite and rare sonority. The Washington Post aptly described it as "one of the most heavenly combinations of instruments around."

The ensemble has toured throughout the United States, including concerts in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Denver, San Diego, and Washington D.C. Internationally they have performed in Canada, Mexico, France, Austria, and the Far East. In 2003 the Quartet spent a week concertizing and teaching in Havana, Cuba, the first American chamber music group to perform there in over forty years. During the May 2006, the Quartet toured South Africa with renowned baritone Simon Estes.

Its members are (left to right) Jonathan Sturm, violist; Mahlon Darlington; violinist William David, pianist; and George Work, cellist. Since its formation in 1976, the ensemble has recorded nine compact discs on the Dorian, Sono Luminus, Musical Heritage, and Albany labels. All have received national and international critical acclaim.

The Ames Piano Quartet’s first Albany CD features three new American piano quartets, including Dark Rosaleen-Rhapsody on an Air by James Joyce by Lee Hoiby, composed especially for the ensemble. Albany has also released a two-CD set by the ensemble including six British piano quartets.

Fanfare called its CD of the Dvorak quartets, "one of the best chamber music recordings of the century."

The Los Angeles Times wrote of a recent Ames Piano Quartet concert, "The four generated nearly limitless excitement... arching lyricism, poetic eloquence, and great accuracy."

The French magazine La Côte des Arts commented, "The Ames Piano Quartet has a full vigorous sound, which deeply touches the soul."