The Valley's own Tetra String Quartet, inspired by pianist and composer Stephen Prutsman, launches a series of free concerts on October 10, 2015, at the Tempe History Museum for children with autism or similar challenges. K-BACH's Sterling Beeaff chats with members of Tetra about the series and their efforts to raise funds for the concerts through an indiegogo campaign.

Sterling Beeaff:

Well, I am speaking with members of the Tetra String Quartet. First of all, I'll say it is delightful to get to talk about some of the exciting things that you guys do. So welcome, Louis, I know you are the violist with the group.

Louis Privitera: Yes.

And Chrystal, you are the first violinist?

Chrystal Smothers: Yes.

It caught our eye that you had this fundraising campaign…this is a thing for autistic kids…now is it the Azure Family Concert Series?

Louis: Azure Family Concert Series.

SB: As I understand, this started in California right?

Louis: Yes, the extraordinary composer and pianist Stephen Prutsman, who has a son on the spectrum decided that in the Bay area he needed a place to take his child to see live music and so he started the Azure Family Concerts so families can come to an environment to enjoy
music in a safe place where all behaviours are welcome, cause, for these kids a lot of them have uncontrolled vocalizations and movements, and going to the symphony or a typical chamber music concert can be difficult, so now here is this place where I can bring my child, we can all enjoy music together as a family. We were guests of the St. Lawrence String Quartet two summers ago at their annual chamber music seminar and Steve Prutsman was guest faculty there that summer and he did the Azure Concerts at Stanford and he invited us to play on it. After such an incredible experience we were like, we need to bring this home to Phoenix.

SB: Chrystal, tell me what was special about this concert.

Chrystal: You've got children in the aisles clapping along, singing along, moving and dancing. You can see on the parent's faces the joy- not just to be out with the family and have the special experience. They are watching their children have a beautiful time. Sometimes when we are playing I'll get up and walk the aisles and try to dance with people when I am playing my violin, and they are just receptive, willing to try to go with the flow and do anything!

SB: Where are you in the campaign raising funds to do this?

Louis: We are in the midst of a 37 day campaign. Our goal for fundraising is $8000 to fund two years of concerts. That would be 4 concerts per season. This includes any performance fees, as we like to bring in guest artists to each performance, buying instruments for the instrument petting zoo. Really what we are trying to do is, if we can get the next two years completely funded that gives us the time to explore sponsorship through community partners, grants, that sort
of stuff, so this can be something that survives in the long term.

SB: So beyond money, I know you are looking for volunteers, you mentioned instruments, you are looking for people to donate some?

Louis: Any help is wonderful. Donating percussion instruments especially is great. Any sort of drums. Volunteers, if anyone is interested in observing a concert as an usher,or if they want to
participate in the instrument petting zoo, that is great as well. We just want to get the awareness of it out.

SB: And October 10th is the first concert.

Louis. Yes.

SB: I say first, are there plans?

Chrystal: Yes, we have a full season of dates here: So our first is October 10th, then we have December 5th with a special guest appearance from the North Pole, February 6th, and April 16th. They all start at 3pm, and they are all at the Tempe History Museum.

SB: Well again, kudos to you. Old guy to young musicians, I am really

proud of you. This is fantastic!

Louis and Chrystal: Thank you very much.

Produced by Jane Hilton