Saturday, October 4, 2008

Cool Things: Harlem String Quartet

I'm lucky enough to be a teacher at a program that offers high-quality string instrument and general music education to a 100% low-income, 90+% African-American community.

Today the kids got to watch a presentation and performance by the Harlem String Quartet, an ensemble that's managed in part by the Sphinx Organization. The mission of Sphinx is to advance racial diversity in classical music audience and performance, and it focuses on young Black and Latino musicians. (According to Sphinx, these groups account for only 4% of membership in American orchestras.)
The quartet gave a lively presentation to the children. They're great players in their own right, who have attended some of the most prestigious schools of music in the world. They're a cool group with a cool mission. Thanks for the treat, Harlem!

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