Artists in Residence + A Lawn Party

We are excited to announce a new partnership between Saint George’s and 9th Street Chamber Music, a new venture by musicians we know well.  Having played for us individually and together over the past years, we welcome the four musicians of the 9th Street String Quartet, Matthew Richardson, Jennifer Wade, Elizabeth O’Hara Stahr, and Andrew Rammon as our Artists in Residence and look forward to their participation in our worship services.  As part of our new partnership, we are proud to not only serve as their program home, but to host their String Quartet Intensive on Monday evenings, a program which provides opportunities for youth to engage in a high-level chamber music experience coached by the 9th Street Quartet. We look forward to their concerts throughout the year, as well as those by the youth musicians.  We also look forward to the premiere of a new piece for organ and string quartet in the Spring of 2022, which has been commissioned in celebration of this new partnership.  

Since the beginning of Christianity, the church has been an incubator and parent of the arts, using various art forms not only as a vehicle to proclaim the Gospel, but as a means to help humanity explore and interact with the beauty and truths of our world.  It is fitting for us to carry on this tradition given our strong commitment to music and outreach in our community and another way in which we can grow in God’s love to promote justice, healing, and reconciliation.  As Artists in Residence at Saint George’s, the 9th Street String Quartet will not only share with us their gifts of music, but partner with us in offering musical outreach and education in the community, especially among Arlington youth.  

To celebrate our new partnership and kick off the launch of 9th Street Chamber Music, we invite you to a Lawn Party at Saint George’s on Friday, July 16 from 5-8 pm.  The Ninth Street Quartet, along with youth quartets will perform throughout the evening.  There will be fun for kids and food and beverage for purchase. Bring the whole family for a nice evening of music and fellowship.  Come when you can, leave when you must.  

To read more about 9th Street Chamber Music you can visit their website at 9thstreetchambermusic.com or the “Artists in Residence” tab on our website.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Ben Keseley, Minister of Music