Porter, Haydn and Beethoven at Trinity

One of the aims of the Newport String Project is to make inspiring musical experiences available for all. One step in that direction is to offer free concerts and last Sunday, we were delighted to perform the first in a series of free chamber music concerts being offered by the Newport String Project this year. Ideally suited to chamber music, the Hawes Room of Trinity Church has a beautiful acoustic and a welcoming and intimate atmosphere. As we launched into the Cole Porter, surrounded by an enthusiastic and welcoming audience, it was clear this was going to be a very special concert indeed. Once the room had filled to capacity, people began gathering outside at the open windows to check out the concert...

It was especially fitting that this first concert featured music written for string quartet... Currently, the Newport String Project is served by two resident musicians, however, the vision is that the project will soon sustain a full-time string quartet residency. This flagship ensemble would be able to offer an expanded concert season and educational programming.

The concert at Trinity was the culmination of a wonderful week of intensive rehearsing with Jesse and Heath at Avaloch Farm (see earlier post) but also celebrated a new beginning. Both the performance and educational strands of the Newport String Project are now underway, thanks to funders including the Prince Charitable Trusts, the Rhode Island Foundation and NewportFed, as well as all the individual supporters who have made generous contributions to this project.

Our hope is that the Newport String Project will ignite the imagination and enthusiasm of audiences across the island. These are the sparks that can enable the project to flourish.

Now though, it's time for us to start planning our next concert...