The Providence String Quartet Aims “...to help build and transform an urban community”

[Providence String Quartet Members (from Left to Right) Jessie Montgomery, Jesse Holstein, Sebastian Ruth, and Sara Stalnaker.]

A March 15, 2008 post on the blog Community MusicWorks was entitled: “John Hope dinner & concert”, and read: “A few photos from Friday's free dinner and Providence String Quartet concert at the John Hope Settlement House on Westminster Street.” Photo No. 4 had this caption: “The PSQ performing H.T. Burleigh songs with Frank Ward”. Intrigued, we visited the “About Us” page of the ensemble's website, where we quickly discovered it is a highly unusual group which has a permanent residency in designated areas of Providence, Rhode Island:

Biography
Based on the conviction that musicians can play an important public service role, Community MusicWorks has created opportunities for a professional string quartet to help build and transform an urban community.

Community MusicWorks provides free after-school programs that build lasting relationships between musicians and children who live in the West End, South Side, Elmwood, and Olneyville neighborhoods of Providence, Rhode Island.

Our programs are built around the unique permanent residency of the Providence String Quartet. All four members teach the violin, viola, or cello to children, perform locally, mentor their students, and organize community events for entire families.

[Henry Thacker Burleigh is profiled at AfriClassical.com]