My Nonprofit Reviews

I have great admiration and respect for the Friends of the DaPonte String Quartet (FDSQ), a non-profit organization, now more than 25 years old. Because of FDSQ's dedicated, enthusiastic, and creative leaders during its initial years, this "start-up" non-profit organization, in a state with a small, but widely dispersed population, situated far from major cities, was successful in persuading the exceptionally talented and highly trained Da Ponte String Quartet to make its permanent home base in Maine. From the start, FDSQ recognized the need to ensure that DSQ's impeccable, inspiring performances could continue to be available to widely dispersed Maine communities, throughout the seasons of the year.
Since its founding, FDSQ has steadily encouraged DSQ's deep study of the string quartet musical form, its composers, evolution, meaning across historical contexts, and its relevance today. FDSQ has understood DSQ's aspirations in artistic development and its eagerness for outreach and sharing its knowledge with its audiences. FDSQ's Board and community volunteers steadfastly support DSQ's efforts to develop and enrich the next generations' access to music. Together they make possible DSQ's educational activities for Maine school children, aspiring young musicians and advanced emerging adult musicians, as well as adult amateur string players, adults in retirement communities, and adults and children in libraries.
Working together toward shared goals, FDSQ/ DSQ have drawn new and more music lovers to DSQ's audiences. All have gained opportunities for deeper understanding of this unique form of collaborative artistic expression. In the process all involved have come to recognize the value of deep mutual engagement between a non-profit organization and superb, adventuresome artists. Indeed, all ages and communities have also received the very precious chance to know and love these exceptionally gifted, inventive, and warmly accessible musicians. As a music lover, volunteer, and supporter of the collaboration of FDSQ and DSQ, I am deeply grateful for opportunities FDSQ's decisions have given to people like me to serve, to learn, and to enjoy world class music.

The DaPonte String Quartet makes dreams come true.
Classical music, chamber music, especially string quartet music have long been very important to me as a listener. For more than fifty years I listened, but also wanted to learn to play the cello so that as an amateur musician I could too make such music. A busy professional career and retirement to rural Maine made that dream seem out of reach until I discovered the presence in mid-coast Maine of the DaPonte String Quartet. Suddenly, although far from cities with arrays of world class music, I found here an extraordinary group of exceptionally well-trained musicians that was intent on playing the world's finest string quartets at the highest level and to do so generously for multiple villages easily accessible to me, and to my amazement a member of the Quartet agreed to take me, a senior citizen novice, as a student..

TheDaPonte String Quartet contributions to this area are many faceted: they play in formal concerts and take mini-performances to village and rural schools, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and retirement communities. Through benefit performances they support other non-profit organizations. Members of the Quartet teach students of their instruments, coach amateur chamber musicians, and even serve as conductor of student and amateur orchestras.

The DSQ always gives the highest quality performances. They are known for their impeccable intonation, well-grounded phrasing, and exquisite ensemble sound. Their level of excellence is, of course, partly the result of their great talents and training at top conservatories, but most of all it is due to their sustained intensity of rehearsal and deep attention to understanding the compositions and the composers. Their pre-concert lectures open the way for deeper appreciation of the music and reveal the commitment these musicians give to every work they perform every time. The DSQ has an unusually broad repertoire and offers more than 30 performances over the course of the year in multiple venues in order to be accessible to audiences dispersed over a wide geographic area.
Recognizing the income limits of many who live in this area, the DSQ has kept concert ticket prices at a very modest level.

To sustain their generosity , however, they have had to make personal sacrifice in income and to divert precious time and energy to non-musical tasks. With more support from generous donors, corporate and grant support, the musicians could do more of what they all yearn to do, namely enhance the advancement of their own artistic development for the benefit of all concerned .

These extraordinary musicians deserve wider appreciation and support from those who understand how valuable such artistic endeavors are to our culture and wellbeing.

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