We are excited to announce that, as part of our continuing outreach efforts, the nationally acclaimed Harlem String Quartet will be holding a special concert in April for SMP students and their families.  The Harlem String Quartet, praised for its 'panache' by The New York Times, will be meeting with our after-school students for a hands-on mini master class, followed by a performance for our students and families.  The quartet has been heralded for its mission to advance diversity in classical music while engaging young and new audiences through the discovery and presentation of varied repertoire, highlighting works by minority composers. Thanks to the University of Washington World Series for their continued partnership and for making this event possible!

For over thirty years, a remarkable music-education project has been transforming the lives of children in Venezuela. That program is El Sistema, which now includes over 300,000 low-income children who play music in orchestras across Venezuela. El Sistema has a new counterpart in the United States called El Sistema USA. Stanford Thompson, one of El Sistema USA's first "fellows," recently spent a week with Seattle Music Partners, where he sat in on lessons and spoke with tutors and staff about his work as head of a new after-school music-education program he launched and directs in West Philadelphia called Tune Up Philly. "I had a great time visiting SMP and am impressed with the work you do," Stan shared.  "It is clear in the faces, enthusiasm and accomplishments of the students and volunteers alike that they take great pride in what they are learning." Stan and we look forward to continuing to share ideas about our respective programs and the further development of El Sistema USA! To learn more about El Sistema USA, visit www.elsistemausa.org.