Andrew Spear for The Boston Globe

Melissa White read a text message while Ilmar Gavilán (left) and Juan Miguel Hernandez prepared for their performance on March 17, 2012. The Harlem Quartet, part of New England Conservatory's highly competitive master quartet program, had a trying year looking for replacements for two of their members.

Andrew Spear for The Boston Globe

Matt Zalkind watched The Harlem Quartet perform. He auditioned to be the group's cellist earlier in the day.

Andrew Spear for The Boston Globe

Hernandez, White, and Wiancko walked down to the performance room, a gallery space at Antioch College, on March 17, 2012.

Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff

Paul Katz, the New England Conservatory faculty member who founded the quartet program, talked to The Harlem Quartet during their practice on Feb. 16, 2012.

Andrew Spear for The Boston Globe

Melissa White prepared for a peformance while Juan Miguel Hernandez danced around her on March 17, 2012.

Essdras M Suarez/ Globe Staff

Melissa White laughed during the audition of a new member, a cellist, on March 1, 2012.

Matthew Cavanaugh for The Boston Globe

The Harlem Quartet's temporary cellist Ismar Gomes and violist Juan Miguel Hernandez rehearsed before a concert at Tannery Pond in New Lebanon, N.Y., in August 2012.

Matthew Cavanaugh for The Boston Globe

The Harlem Quartet's first violinist Ilmar Gavilán played a solo as second violinist Melissa White looked on during a concert at Tannery Pond in New Lebanon, N.Y.

Matthew Cavanaugh for The Boston Globe

Members of The Harlem Quartet with temporary cellist Ismar Gomes (left), finished a concert at Tannery Pond in New Lebanon, N.Y., on Aug. 4, 2012.

Ricardo Arduengo/Associated Press for the Boston Globe

Jaime Amador from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the new violist in The Harlem Quartet. He will move to New York and replace Juan Miguel Hernandez.

Andrew Spear for The Boston Globe

Ilmar Gavilán and Melissa White ate lunch with cellist candidate Matt Zalkind at Ye Olde Trail Tavern in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Zalkind will replace Paul Wiancko.

Andrew Spear for The Boston Globe

The Harlem Quartet stopped to talk after loading their van, ending a long day of rehearsal and performance. Melissa White, Illmar Gavilán, and Matt Zalkind will be playing together in the new quartet. Jaime Amador will be the fourth.