Paper Violin Making 4.0

A huge thank you to Don Farias for these wonderful images from our fourth paper violin making workshop. The newest class of young musicians are off to a wonderful start - congratulations to all the students (and grown-ups)! 

October String Quartet Residency

We are beyond thrilled to announce the details of the opening performance week of our fourth season!

After a blissful and productive rehearsal retreat at the Avaloch Farm Music Institute, we are busily putting the final polishing touches on a program of string quartets by Haydn and Schubert. The program will also feature some atmospheric duos for two violins by Icelandic composer Hildigunnur Runnarsdottir alongside some Bartok favorites!

There are several opportunities to catch us in action this week!

OPEN REHEARSAL at Salve Regina University, Thursday October 6th, 1-3pm. Admission is free. 

POP-UP PERFORMANCE at the Broadway Street Fair at Empire Coffee, Saturday October 8th (Early afternoon)

PREVIEW CONCERT at St Mary's Church Portsmouth, Saturday October 8th, 7pm. Tickets $20, available at the door. 

SEASON OPENING CONCERT AT THE NEWPORT ART MUSEUM, Sunday October 9th, 4pm. Tickets available here.

We look forward to seeing you there!

-EmmaLee and Ealain

Celebrating the launch of the Island Community Garden

"Hey have you heard what's happenin' here today?

It's the Newport Community Garden...."

If you were passing by the Great Friends Meeting House last Friday, it would have been hard to miss a festive occasion unfolding. The grounds of the Meeting House is now home to Newport's first community garden thanks to a fabulous partnership of between Aquidneck Community Table, the MLK Center, the Newport Historical Society and a tireless team of community members.

Our students were honored to be invited to perform for the ribbon-cutting and launch ceremony. With violins in tow, our little group set off from the MLK Center. The journey was a brief one but the novelty of walking to the performance location wasn't lost on our excited mini-orchestra. MLK after-school teacher Miss Peggy even brought along an enthusiastic fan club of students from the after-school program to cheer on the young performers.

With the sunshine smiling down, the students opened with a rousing rendition of "Newport Community Garden" (sung to the tune of English Country Gardens) followed by several fiddle tunes. What a treat it was to play for such an attentive crowd of friends, families, teachers, community members and lots and lots of canine friends!

At the Newport String Project, our philosophy is that our youth programming is more than just violin lessons... We hope that our students learn that music gives us an opportunity to consider our place in the world and it is a powerful way to participate in making our community a vibrant and healthy place to be. As we practiced for the performance, we talked about the social justice ideas behind a community garden - healthy food, access, transforming public spaces -  and that through music we can celebrate projects like the community garden. It was a beautiful opportunity for the students to play a melodious role in launching what will no doubt be an incredible resource for Newport in the years to come!

Congratulations to Aquidneck Community Table and many thanks to Tara Gragg for these images!

Shots from our End of the Year Performance

What a treat it was to have the whole crew together - students from all three years of the Newport String Project's existence! (The group is growing so big that we're already planning on rearranging the furniture next time to make more room!) For this concert, our most experienced students really pushed themselves to learn several pieces that incorporated some of the more advanced skills they've been learning this year. By popular vote, they also decided to play a few favorite tunes from earlier in the year. Meanwhile our first year student group included more kindergarteners than ever before! What a journey it has been from paper violins to their first performances with real instruments! We're so proud of you all....

Season Finale Concert at the Great Friends Meeting House, June 5th

In honor of the final concert of our THIRD season (!), here are just three reasons you won't want to miss our Season Finale...

• Great chamber music, live and up-close - With string quartets by Purcell, Tchaikovsky and Piazzolla the afternoon promises to be filled with drama, flair and fireworks. Guest musicians Jesse Holstein (viola) and Chelsea Bernstein (cello) return to the Newport String Project for a vivid program of chamber works. Pull up a pew for a quartet-side view of the action...
• A setting like no other - we are thrilled to be partnering with the Newport Historical Society again this year and will present our season finale concert in the heart of Newport at the Great Friends Meeting House. Weather permitting the doors will be open, allowing music to spill out onto the lawn in front.
• A community celebration - More than concerts, every Newport String Project event is an opportunity to get together with neighbors, friends, family. Be sure to stay after the concert to enjoy the reception. Mingle and chat with the musicians and fellow audience members about your listening experience - from the bits you loved to the bits that you still have questions about : ) Our season finale will be a chance for us to thank YOU who have supported our work through your presence and donations throughout our first three season. It's also a great chance to bring along that friend who has never been to one of our concerts...

And finally, one bonus reason you won't want to miss our Season Finale concert? The afternoon will open with a special performance by a plucky group of Newport String Project students.

CONCERT DETAILS

WHEN - June 5th at 3pm

WHERE - The Great Friends Meeting House

PROGRAM - Purcell Fantasias, Tchaikovsky String Quartet in D, Piazzolla Tango-Ballet

ADMISSION - Suggested donation $10, $25 or $50+ For reservations, call Newport Historical Society at 846-0813, ext 110 or email mdelaire@newporthistory.org

Highlights from our April String Quartet Residency

This April featured an exciting three-part string quartet residency that beautifully reflected how the Newport String Project’s mission is coming to life. Each event offered something a little different:

• Beethoven at Rough Point – The residency launched with a lecture-performance of Beethoven’s op 18 no 1 for a full-capacity crowd in the grand hall of Doris Duke’s Rough Point. It was an opportunity for the audience to learn about the historical context of the music, delve into Beethoven’s musical language and peek “behind-the-notes”, bringing the listening experience to life in a new way. This collaboration with the Newport Restoration Foundation also gave the audience a chance to explore one of Newport’s most beautiful historic homes.
• Quartets at the Aquidneck Growers’ Market, with a special appearance by Newport String Project students – As people bustled in to pick up their fresh produce, there were more than a few surprised and curious smiles as they stumbled upon a “free-range” string quartet, playing everything from Bach to the Beatles. A particular highlight of the morning was a performance by our violin and viola students. Full of purpose and excitement, the students performed a rousing set of market-themed fiddle tunes (Boil ‘em Cabbage, Peeler’s Jig, Chicken Reel) for a wildly appreciative audience

Students in action at the Aquidneck Growers' Market

• Beethoven, Schubert and Gershwin at Greenvale Vineyards – With the stunning natural beauty of Greenvale as a backdrop, we wrapped up the residency with an intimate performance of quartets by Beethoven, Schubert and Gershwin.

STring Quartets by Gershwin, Schubert and Beethoven At greenvale vineyards

Coming Soon - April String Quartet Residency!

April is upon us and we're thrilled to announce details for three special events that are lined up as part of our upcoming quartet residency. We are delighted to be joined by guest musicians Annalisa Boerner (viola) and Lauren Latessa (cello) for a dynamic program of Beethoven op 18 no 1, Schubert Quartettsatz and Gershwin Lullaby. See below for complete event details:

THURSDAY APRIL 28th - Beethoven with Burgundy at Rough Point, Doors open at 5pm

Join us for the Newport String Project's first performance in the exquisite surroundings of Rough Point. This special event will feature a behind-the-notes, in-depth look at Beethoven's op 18 no 1, with time for all those questions you've been dying to ask about string quartets! Join us for wine and mingling before and after the music and learn more about the work of the Newport String Project and our plans for the future. Audience members will also be treated to a glimpse of some of the incredible rooms at Rough Point. Space is limited and ticket reservations are strongly recommended. Proceeds benefit the work of the Newport String Project. To reserve tickets, CLICK HERE

SATURDAY APRIL 30th - Quartets at the Aquidneck Growers Market, 9.00am-12.30pm

One of our goals is to bring chamber music to surprising places and hopefully bring a smile or two along the way. Pop-up performances can make vibrant live music accessible for all! On Saturday April 30th, you'll find us in the midst of delicious fruit and vegetables at the Aquidneck Grower's Market (indoor market is held at Newport Vineyards) where we'll have some treats for the ears. This event will feature a special appearance by our young violin and viola students at the MLK Center!

SATURDAY APRIL 30TH - Newport String Project at Greenvale Vineyards, 7pm

Join us for an evening of music in the beautiful surrounds of Greenvale Vineyards! With quartets by Beethoven, Schubert and Gershwin (and of course an opportunity to sample and purchase the vineyard's delicious offerings), it's sure to be an evening filled with the promise of spring. Suggestion donation $15, $25, $50+ All proceeds support the work of the Newport String Project.

Coming Soon - April String Quartet Residency!

April is upon us and we're thrilled to announce details for three special events we have coming up as part of our latest quartet residency. We are delighted to be joined by guest musicians Annalisa Boerner (viola) and Lauren Latessa (cello) for a dynamic program of Beethoven op 18 no 1, Schubert Quartettsatz and Gershwin Lullaby. See below for complete event details (special thanks to Jori Ketten for images):

THURSDAY APRIL 28th - Beethoven with Burgundy at Rough Point, Doors open at 5pm

Join us for the Newport String Project's first performance in the exquisite surroundings of Rough Point. This special event will feature a behind-the-notes, in-depth look at Beethoven's op 18 no 1, with time for all those questions you've been dying to ask about string quartets! Join us for wine and mingling before and after the music and learn more about the work of the Newport String Project and our plans for the future. Audience members will also be treated to a glimpse of some of the incredible rooms at Rough Point. Space is limited and ticket reservations are strongly recommended. Proceeds benefit the work of the Newport String Project. To reserve tickets, CLICK HERE

SATURDAY APRIL 30th - Quartets at the Aquidneck Growers Market, 9.30am-12pm

One of our goals is to bring chamber music to surprising places, to catch people by surprise and maybe bring a smile or two. Pop-up performances can make vibrant live music accessible for all! On Saturday April 30th, you'll find us in the midst of delicious fruit and vegetables at the Aquidneck Grower's Market (indoor market is held at Newport Vineyards) where we'll have some treats for the ears. This event will feature a special appearance by our young violin and viola students at the MLK Center!

SATURDAY APRIL 30TH - Newport String Project at Greenvale Vineyards, 7pm

Join us for an evening of music in the beautiful surrounds of Greenvale Vineyards! With quartets by Beethoven, Schubert and Gershwin (and of course an opportunity to sample and purchase the vineyard's delicious offerings), it's sure to be an evening filled with the promise of spring. Suggestion donation $15, $25, $50+ All proceeds support the work of the Newport String Project.

What is a crankie anyway?

One of the tensions we find ourselves navigating is how to use our precious classroom time to cultivate the discipline necessary for playing a stringed instrument, while also creating an environment where young imaginations can frolic with wild abandon. The early stages of playing violin, viola or cello are notoriously complex – establishing posture and musical fundamentals is a painstaking process requiring lots of repetition. Even with an arsenal of fun games to keep things playful, the rote nature of things can end up feeling a little uncreative. (The education world has plenty to say about the pitfalls of “drill and kill” type repetitions. However, some research out there suggests that, if done in the right way, repetitions may actually help unleash creativity!) So, we wondered, what kinds of activities would enable our students to share their own ideas, to tell their own stories and to unleash their own expressive potential right from the beginning? Our recent Crankie-making experiments have given our students the opportunity to do just that. 

For the uninitiated, a crankie is a kind of scrolling picture show also known as a “moving panorama”. It was first introduced to us by December’s guest musician Marji Gere. Crankies have a fascinating history and variants can be found dating back to the 19th century. (New Bedford is home to one of the most famous moving panoramas of all "Grand Panorama of a Whaling voyage Around the World", measuring a whopping 1275 feet!) Crankies are also enjoying a mini-renaissance in the folk music world thanks to Anna and Elizabeth - check out their Tiny Desk Concert here.

For our second Crankie experiment in March, we had two goals in mind - the students would create original text that would fit in with the avian theme of March's fiddle concert and would create images to accompany the text. With that in mind, we invited local poet David Dragone to present two poetry workshops. The students collaborated to create a poem entitled Sky Dance. 

Sky Dance

A soaring bird flies in the sky
Proud and tweeting loud.
Birds are like butterflies—
They float gracefully in air
Like planes without care.
Birds fly almost through clouds
I could almost care to see them flare
Flying and sighing
Against the sky so blue
With some dancing away
Without any care
Or flying so light and so far
That they flew out of sight
Beyond all the rainbows
With colors I love
That come out after rain
And don’t let the unicorns throw rainbows
And candy on you. If you look up
Luck is something you’ll need
To see colors paint sky.
Eventually, the rainbows will disappear in the sun
And I will want to play music
Because my name is violin
And I play with a big grin
Across from where a swan floats on a pond gracefully
And then writes a poem.

Alongside this process the students painted an atmospheric backdrop for the crankie, reflecting the changing colors of the sky from sunrise to sunset. Each student also took a line of the poem and added illustrations. The process culminated with a Big Reveal presentation at one of our classes when guest fiddler Rachel Panitch improvised music inspired by their poem. The crankie then received its public premiere at March’s Norman Bird Sanctuary concert to an enraptured audience. 

Through this process, we noticed several rich experiences were happening for our students:

• Collaborative art making. Working together to make art is an incredibly sophisticated journey - the "give-and-take" of sharing space on a canvas, the courage of articulating an unusual idea in front of a group of friends and bouncing back if an idea doesn't work.
• Process and Patience. The many phases of the project allowed students to witness the many steps it takes to get to a final performance. It doesn't happen all at once - an important and challenging experience, especially for young artists.
• "But how does it work?" Curiosity is an important ingredient for meaningful learning experiences. The students were fascinated with the structure of the beautifully carved wooden crankie box itself and each student delighted in the hands-on experience of cranking the story for themselves.
• Old art forms can be magical. For a technology-saturated generation, you'd think an old-school scrolling picture show might lack the flash and pizzazz needed to capture their attention. However, the students seemed to delight in the experience precisely because of its slow-moving simplicity. In that first classroom crankie performance, time seemed to slow down - a little magic was unfolding. As one student commented "It's like watching a dream".

For the next round of crankie magic, we're busily dreaming up ways that our students can collaborate to create a musical soundtrack! And while that sounds like a very tall order, the seeds have already been planted - here they are with March's guest fiddler Rachel Panitch collaborating on a new musical composition using graphic notation! Look out world - some very young composers are on the loose...

Leaps and Bounds in Peer Mentoring

We all have childhood memories of idolizing the kids that were just slightly older than ourselves, aspiring to be that grown-up, cool etc. Somehow, trying to catch up to those kids was very motivating. Since the launch of the Newport String Project, we have noticed how much our older students are inspirations and role models for the newest students!

One of the values we try to impart to our students is that once you have learned something, you have a treasure to pass on to someone else. This idea is a fundamental part of music-making as an oral tradition. The phenomenon of students helping other students to learn has been a notable feature of Venezuela's El Sistema and of course at Community MusicWorks. Naturally, it takes a long time to nurture and cultivate this atmosphere but there have already been several incredibly promising signs that it is starting to become the norm for Newport String Project students. 

Why is peer mentoring such a powerful context for learning? It's a dynamic two-way relationship. The mentors feel empowered and proud to share their expertise and can connect their own learning to positive outcomes for the kids around them. It makes their learning meaningful. The mentees feel especially inspired to learn from kids, close to their age and life experiences.

Another surprising benefit revealed itself recently to us. The time had come for us to introduce the bowhold to our newest class of beginners. We thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to bring in several of the second year students who had expressed interest in volunteering to be classroom assistants. Helping a student make a great bowhold is a finnicky detailed process. With only two teachers and 13 students, it's easy for students to get bored waiting for their turn. However, thanks to second year students J and R, we had two additional bowhold experts in the room making the process fly by. This peer mentoring moment had the unanticipated benefit of streamlining the lesson and enabling the students to stay engaged throughout! After class, J and R could be heard chattering happily how much fun they had and how they couldn't wait to do it again.

Another great peer mentoring moment happened this March when we had a visit from the students of the Rhode Island Fiddle Project in Pawtucket. These teens had spent several weeks developing ideas for what they could teach our young students. What a treat it was to see them in action and to see how much young people can learn from each other when given the space to do so. From a snazzy call and response fiddle tune called Hop Skip and Jump to a folksy rendition of Spongebob Squarepants, our NSP students were enthralled! For us teachers, it was a great reminder that sometimes your job is to get out of the way and let the magic happen for itself.

January Gratitude

Ah January! A time for resolutions, fresh beginnings and … gratitude!

A huge thank you to all the supporters who made year-end gifts to the Newport String Project. The program is fortunate enough to have the backing of key funders including the Prince Charitable Trusts, the Newport County Fund and Newport Fed – however, the support of generous individuals like you will help us bring the program to the next level.

You may be wondering “where will my gift go?” Here are just a handful of examples: ways that contributions of all sizes make a real difference.

• $10 – helps us with glamorous essentials like photocopying and paperclips and also ensures that our students have a wide range of colorful art supplies for our Paper Violin Workshop.
• $25 – enables us to keep one student’s violin or viola in tip-top shape for a whole year: fresh strings, rosin and bowhair for all of our students…
• $50 – helps us get the word out about what we do by covering costs like website and publicity materials
• $100 – helps us raise the roof with one of our community barndances!
• $500 – brings professional performances by resident and guest musicians to the community.
• $1000 and beyond - Gifts like these are ones that help secure a bright future for the program. It transforms the big ambitions for the Newport String Project – like staff expansion and a string quartet for Newport – into an achievable reality.

These are only a few examples but it’s clear to see how contributions of all sizes make a real difference. We appreciate every single one, thank you!

Perspectives from a Guest Musician

Some of you may remember that in December, we welcomed guest artists Marji Gere, violin, Dan Sedgwick, piano and Joe Bentley, bass for a special residency week. This residency had the added dimension that Marji and Dan not only performed on our concert series, they also participated in open rehearsals and gave fresh inspiration to our students at the MLK Center. It was an exciting week for us and our students - what a privilege to have such creative and inspirational musicians dive into this experimental collaboration with us!

Guest musician and teaching artist extraordinaire Marji has composed a beautiful account of the week which can be found HERE. Here are a few teaser quotes to whet your appetite:

On visiting the students of the Newport String Project:

"Throughout the afternoon, students came in for their lessons professing how much they love their lessons, and asking to stay and watch each other learn. Perhaps more powerful than these verbal statements of happiness were the students' beautiful sounds, the sparkles in their eyes, the energy in their stances, their readiness to connect with their teacher, their peers, their instrument and the music at hand."

On teaching

"More importantly, though, my appreciation and understanding of the student - teacher relationship was refreshed. My belief that teaching is a fine art, and a pursuit of idealism and democracy, was rekindled. "

On the incomparable imaginations of kids as they listen to Bach:

"What did my performance of Bach call to mind? Winged dinosaurs. Mountaintop views. Camping trips. Abstract shapes and gestures. Friendship. Sunsets, and much, much more."

On the magic of seeing a cranky for the very first time:

"Each student took responsibility for the calligraphing of one word of Pablo Neruda's poem, "Gracias, Violines". Then…magically…that listening-inspired artwork came to life and started moving, to the live accompaniment of Bach's Largo. "

On musicmaking as a Newport String Project guest artist:

“These rehearsals culminated in a concert for a full house of rapt, appreciative listeners at the Redwood Library and Athenaeum in Newport. It was a joy to spend the week in musical exchange with kindred musical spirits, and to live, work, and perform in their magical stomping grounds.” 

Read Marji's complete essay HERE.

Experiments at the crossroads of performance, education and community

This week, we are joined by guest musicians Marjorie Gere, violin, Daniel Sedgwick, piano and Joe Bentley, bass, for our upcoming concert at the Redwood Library. This collaboration is a special one because it will be a pilot for a new type of residency, that the Newport String Project hopes to experiment more with in the future.

So how will this week be different?

• Often a combination of scheduling and geographic factors mean that most of our rehearsing happens outside of Newport - this week we will be doing more rehearsing at locations around Newport. We hope to open up some of these rehearsals as open rehearsals - this will be an opportunity for curious folks to take a peek behind-the-scenes during the preparation process. Stay tuned on our Facebook page for details about that.
• Marjorie will be stopping by the MLK Center to do a series of workshops with Newport String Project students. Something we often think about is how to create meaningful connections between our students and the guest musicians. Not only is it inspiring for the students to hear new perspectives on what they are learning, it makes them aware of their connection to a much larger community of Musicians. (Of course, the guest musicians are also lucky enough to get to hang out with a fun, cool group of students.)
• The musicians will be out and about in Newport - so you might run into them at the coffee shop, strolling around, just being in Newport... We can't wait to see how all of this feels different to other guest musician residencies.

Stay tuned for the "post-game analysis"!

Barndance Highlights

The rainy afternoon was no deterrent at all for our barndance-loving friends. To kick proceedings off, the students of the Newport String Project performed a plucky medley of fiddle tunes with flair. (The Chicken Reel was renamed the Turkey Reel for the occasion by our students - in honor of the approaching Thanksgiving feast!)

Then it was time for the Rusty Pick Up String Band with special guests Tom Perrotti and Mike Fischmann...

After a few simple instructions and demonstrations from master caller Jim Hicks...

they were OFF!

     

A huge thank you to our partners Common Fence Music and the Boys and Girls Club!

Also many thanks to Don Farias for his fabulous photography!

And don't forget - there'll be another barndance in February!!!!!!!!!!!

Newport String Project at the Redwood December 12th

   

The Newport String Project returns to the Redwood Library on Saturday December 12th at 3pm, with a vibrant program of works for strings and piano. Violinists EmmaLee Holmes-Hicks and Ealain McMullin will be joined by guest musicians Joe Bentley (bass), Marjorie Gere (violin) and Dan Sedgwick (piano) for an intimate afternoon of chamber music in the beautiful surrounds of the Harrison Room.

The program includes Mozart's exquisite Violin Sonata in A Major K526, Brahms' dreamy Violin Sonata in G Major and Jon Deak's theatrical trio "The Wager at the El Dorado Saloon". Based on an episode from Jack London's novel The Call of the Wild, Deak's piece calls upon the musicians to play different characters in the story filled with howling wolves, breaking ice and the hubbub of a western saloon... Not to be missed!The concert begins at 3pm. Admission is by donation - early registration is advised for this concert as seating is limited. Make a reservation by calling the Redwood Library at 401-847-0295, ext. 112.

Check out the Facebook event here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/189916048017725/

Swing yer Partner - Old Time Family Barndance

One way to kick up fun for the whole family is with an old-time barn dance.  And that's just what's happening Sunday afternoon, November 22 from 2 to 4, at the Boys and Girls Club on Church Street.

Fiddle champ EmmaLee Holmes-Hicks and the Rusty Pickup String Band will provide the authentic hoedown music for this free event.  And master dance caller Jim Hicks is coming all the way from Illinois to lead the dances.

This get-together is presented by the Newport String Project, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County and Common Fence Music.  A highlight of the afternoon will be a performance by the young fiddlers and violists from the Newport String Project.

Sunday's dance will mark the third appearance in Newport for this lively band and caller, and each previous time the hall was packed with families having a toe-tapping good time.

The dance caller, Jim Hicks, explains that his job is to teach each dance so that everyone knows what to do before the music starts.

"When you pair music with simple family-friendly dances," says Hicks, "it's a formula for a whole lot of merriment."

Hicks adds that most of the dances he teaches are traditional.  They harken back to America's pioneer days when families would end a week of chores and farmwork by gathering with neighbors at a homemade hoedown.

Fiddler Holmes-Hicks grew up playing for barn dances in the Midwest.  "There's nothing like an old-timey dance to bring people together," says Holmes-Hicks, co-director of the Newport String Project.

"I love to watch the dancers respond with their feet and their energy when I strike up a lively tune," Hicks says.  "This music has been passed down through generations of fiddlers with just that intent--to inspire a roomful of people of all ages to join a fun activity that everyone can do, no matter the age or experience."

Prince Charitable Trusts' Award to the Newport String Project

We are delighted to announce that the Prince Charitable Trusts has made an award of $30,000 in support of the Newport String Project’s third year. The Prince Charitable Trusts played a pivotal role in launching and establishing the Newport String Project, which aims to create inspiring contexts for community building through music performance and youth mentoring. The award will not only provide crucial financial support - it will enable the program to deepen its impact in the community as it returns for a third season of imaginative and diverse programming.

We are honored by the continued investment from the Prince Charitable Trusts and deeply appreciate their commitment to making engaging and inspiring musical experiences accessible for all.

The Prince Charitable Trusts supports programs that improve the quality of life for residents of the city of Newport and Aquidneck Island.

Violins, violas and PUMPKINS!

We couldn't resist this photo op with our students, fresh from their seasonal performance at the annual Trinity Pumpkin Patch. In spite of an extremely blustery afternoon, the students valiantly managed to keep their bows on the strings and had so much fun - especially choosing a pumpkin to take home afterwards. Naturally, the most appealing pumpkins were the ones that required a grown-up to help with the lifting! Many thanks to our friends at Trinity Church!

Piazzolla, Mendelssohn and Najarian in action

  With special thanks to Jack Renner and the Newport Photography Guild

Opening Concert of the Season

Photo credit: David Thomas

On Sunday October 4th at 7pm, the Newport String Project presents a vibrant and high-energy program of works for strings in the intimate surrounds of the Hawes Room at Trinity Church.

The concert will feature music for string quartet by Astor Piazzolla and Felix Mendelssohn, alongside Kristapor Najarian’s evocative violin duo “A Tale for Two Violins”.

Violinists and directors EmmaLee Holmes-Hicks and Ealain McMullin will be joined by guest artists Tanya Maggi (viola) and Heath Marlow (cello).

WHEN Sunday October 4th 2015, 7pm WHERE Hawes Room, Trinity Church, 141 Spring St, Newport RI, 02840 PROGRAM Astor Piazzolla Four for Tango Kristapor Najarian A Tale for Two Violins Mendelssohn String Quartet No 2 in a minor, op 13 ADMISSION Suggested donation $10, $25, $50+ All donations directly support the performance and educational programs of the Newport String Project.