The Newport String Project is a chamber music performance and youth mentoring program that aims to build community through music by crossing boundaries of generation, heritage, and economic circumstances. The project accomplishes this by having its resident ensemble, the Newport String Quartet, work with 40 students each week in a robust curriculum of activities that includes individual lessons in violin, viola, or cello, together with a lively student performance series—all at no cost to the families. In addition to teaching, the Quartet is featured in a popular and innovative public concert series where each concert features music from the standard chamber music canon, music by lesser known or forgotten composers, music by underrepresented or new voices, and music of our time. We seek to use the language of music to cultivate the social cohesion necessary for our community to thrive.

Music brings people together in a myriad of ways. We use music performance and education as tools to bring people together, spark curiosity, foster understanding, and bridge differences. In this way, NSP seeks to create a vibrant community where all people feel a sense of welcome and belonging. 

We do this by working with a variety of local organizations to not only bring them music but also to strengthen the social and cultural fabric of our community. We have immersed ourselves in the community by collaborating and partnering with the following organizations: the Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, East Bay MET High School, Florence Gray Center, St Paul’s United Methodist Church, the Newport Art Museum, the Norman Bird Sanctuary, the Newport Historical Society, Jamestown Arts Center, Four Corners Arts Center, the Jane Pickens Theater, the Newport Performing Arts Center and the many churches and community centers throughout the area. We also partner with local community meals and food pantries, Conexion Latina, Aquidneck Community Table, and Bike Newport.

Now in its 12th year, the project has been recognized and supported by several national, state, and local sponsors for its unique approach to community-based music education and performance. These include the National Endowment for the Arts, The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Prince Charitable Trusts, the Newport County Fund, the Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust, BnV Charitable Funds, the Rotary Club of Newport, Ocean State Charitable Trusts, Powered by Prince/Frederick Henry Prince Memorial Fund at the Newport Hospital, and a growing community of individual supporters.