Noted Chamber Ensemble Visits North Farmington

senior Carly Burke was a little nervous as she prepared to play her viola in front of a world-famous chamber quartet Wednesday morning. 

Burke was among a group of students whose performances were critiqued by members of the Shanghai Quartet. The ensemble will visit 17 public and private schools and nonprofit organizations in Wayne and Oakland counties over the next two weeks. 

"It is a little bit nerve-wracking playing for everybody," Burke said, "but once you're up there, it feels pretty natural. Their passion and how much they can do with music is very inspiring." 

Inspiration is the goal of the Farmington Hills-based Chamber Music Society of Detroit (CMSD) Ensemble Residency Program, said Steve Wogaman, society president. 

"The Chamber Music Society of Detroit is passionate about educating future classical musicians and audiences—as is the Shanghai Quartet," he said. "The quartet members are inspirational role models for students. What’s more, they’re incredibly accessible, interacting with students in an informal, friendly way that immediately puts them at ease.”

Kelle Vela, the Society's director of community engagement, said the residency program is part of the organization's mission "to get music out of concert halls and into schools and the community." 

For North students, the experience is invaluable, orchestra director Peter Tolias said, because it gets the kids up on stage and forces them to play in front of an audience. The quartet's visit is particularly fitting, because the students are all working in ensembles. 

"They get the chance to see what the finished product looks like," he said. 

In two weeks' time, Vela said, the Shanghai Quartet will see about 4,000 students. This will be their fourth trip to Detroit, from their home base at Montclair State University in New Jersey, since 2006. 

Along with the school visits, the Shanghai Quartet will play a Listen @ The Library concert at the on Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. The concert is free, as are events on March 4, with Wogaman on piano, and April 1, with Carol Wincenc, Julliard's acclaimed flutist, and New York Philharmonic harpist Nancy Allen. 

CMSD also sponsors a concert by Windscape, a quintet of woodwind soloists, at on May 20, 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under and $25 for families (up to five people). Learn more by calling 248-855-6070 or visit comehearcmsd.org/family.