Quartet inspires east students

MANATEE COUNTY — As Braden River High School student Hannah Palmer sat in the orchestra room, the 16-year-old couldn’t take her eyes off members of the Ariel String Quartet, who were performing at the front of the room. For Palmer, the sounds they produced with their instruments were mesmerizing.

“They’re not much older than I am,” said Palmer, who plays tenor saxophone and other instruments. “It makes me realize I can aspire to be just as good. It makes me want to work harder (on my music).”

The Ariel String Quartet’s visit was part of The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast Education Outreach Program, which brings program alumni into area schools as professional teaching artists for three weeks in October, January and May to present hands-on training opportunities for local students and their teachers.

The group visited schools such as Braden River high school and middle schools and the Out-of-Door Academy Upper School, among others, Jan. 19-25. Quartet members performed for students, answered questions and also spent time playing alongside students. The quartet’s visit also included a live concert for the public Jan. 24, at the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

Now featuring musicians Gershon Gerchikov, Alexandra Kazovsky, Jan Gruning and Amit Even-Tov, the group formed 10 years ago in Israel and moved to the United States in 2004 to continue its professional studies. It has since earned accolades such as the grand-prize winners of the 2006 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and more.

“This is the future,” viola player Jan Grüning said of why he enjoys performing for students. “It was vital for me to see musicians (come in to perform).”

Perlman Music Program/Suncoast Education Outreach Coordinator Barbara Staton said bringing groups such as the Ariel String Quartet into Sarasota and Manatee schools is instrumental for achieving the program’s goals of inspiring students to practice music more and harder, to help them improve technically and to show them a career path in music.

“It makes all the difference,” Staton said. “It’s just so magical, and they transfer that same energy to the kids.”

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].