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Past News
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Cuatro Puntos to Perform at Teachers College, Columbia University
Cuatro Puntos will also continue to work with Columbia University on research regarding universal access to music, specifically for those who are Deaf. |
Read our 2016 Newsletter!
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Celebrating Deaf Musical Culture from Beethoven to the Present
A collaboration with Hartford's American School for the Deaf American Sign Language was born in Hartford in 1817 when Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet brought sign language from France and started the American School for the Deaf, where the American form of the language was cultivated and taught. With support from the Connecticut Office of the Arts, we are joining the American School for the Deaf for a project celebrating Deaf musical culture as part of their year-long bicentennial celebration. The project will begin on October 18, 2016 at Goodwin College in East Hartford, and will continue with various events through the end of February. This will see the premiere of new works by American composer Elizabeth Adams and Cuatro Puntos' composer-in-residence Sadie Harrison that will challenge perceptions of music making and consumption by the Deaf. Not only will this project get deaf students involved in making music with top local artists, it will open the eyes of the traditional, hearing concert goer to the rich and vibrant deaf community that thrives in Connecticut. |
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Cuatro Puntos receives a COA Grant
Cuatro Puntos has received a grant for the 2016-2017 season from the Connecticut Office of the Arts in support of it's project regarding deaf musical culture in Connecticut, and in partnership with the American School for the Deaf. |
The Rosegarden of Light
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Cuatro Puntos to present as special guests at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin, Germany
Monday, June 6, 2016
As part of their European tour of England, Germany, and The Netherlands, Cuatro Puntos will be giving a special concert and lecture at this international hub for the study and implementation of cultural diplomacy projects.
Monday, June 6, 2016
As part of their European tour of England, Germany, and The Netherlands, Cuatro Puntos will be giving a special concert and lecture at this international hub for the study and implementation of cultural diplomacy projects.
Our tour of Europe commences with six events in England
Read our Newsletter "2015 in Review"
click lower right hand corner to expand.
click lower right hand corner to expand.
Cuatro Puntos Director Kevin Bishop talks about The Rosegarden of Light project on WMNR
18 FM frequencies in New York and Connecticut, and streaming online
18 FM frequencies in New York and Connecticut, and streaming online
Cuatro Puntos to release an album with the UK label Toccata Classics
Our 2016 album to be released on the UK label Toccata Classics and distributed worldwide by Naxos. This album is a collaborative effort between Cuatro Puntos, Afghan music scholar and Cuatro Puntos' composer-in-residence Dr. Sadie Harrison, and the Afghanistan National Institute of Music. It is a tri-national collaboration meant to show solidarity between Afghan and Western musicians, and will help the voices of Afghan children be heard around the world.
Our 2016 album to be released on the UK label Toccata Classics and distributed worldwide by Naxos. This album is a collaborative effort between Cuatro Puntos, Afghan music scholar and Cuatro Puntos' composer-in-residence Dr. Sadie Harrison, and the Afghanistan National Institute of Music. It is a tri-national collaboration meant to show solidarity between Afghan and Western musicians, and will help the voices of Afghan children be heard around the world.
Cuatro Puntos receives grant from the Ralph Vaughan Williams Charitable Trust
to help fund our 2016 European Tour
Cuatro Puntos takes on Europe in a number of concerts, residencies, and outreach projects in England, Germany, and The Netherlands.
to help fund our 2016 European Tour
Cuatro Puntos takes on Europe in a number of concerts, residencies, and outreach projects in England, Germany, and The Netherlands.
Cuatro Puntos receives grant from Mattina R. Proctor Foundation to take
"Life Without Music" workshops to public schools in Boston
This year Cuatro Puntos is teaching about cultural rights through the lens of Afghanistan in schools across Connecticut. Thanks to the support of the Mattina R. Proctor Foundation, in Spring 2016 we will be doing residencies at a number of public schools in Boston as well.
"Life Without Music" workshops to public schools in Boston
This year Cuatro Puntos is teaching about cultural rights through the lens of Afghanistan in schools across Connecticut. Thanks to the support of the Mattina R. Proctor Foundation, in Spring 2016 we will be doing residencies at a number of public schools in Boston as well.
Cuatro Puntos receives grant from Arts Council England for Dr. Sadie Harrison's USA Residency, as well as a Spring 2016 European tour with "From Damascus to Kabul"
We are excited to announce that Arts Council England is sending British composer Dr. Sadie Harrison, our composer in residence, to collaborate with us on a fall residency. She will help us lead 4 full-day workshops at Connecticut public schools, will collaborate with us on four public concerts, and will give a lecture at the University of Connecticut.
Furthermore, Arts Council England is helping make possible a spring 2016 tour to England and Germany with "From Damascus to Kabul."
We are excited to announce that Arts Council England is sending British composer Dr. Sadie Harrison, our composer in residence, to collaborate with us on a fall residency. She will help us lead 4 full-day workshops at Connecticut public schools, will collaborate with us on four public concerts, and will give a lecture at the University of Connecticut.
Furthermore, Arts Council England is helping make possible a spring 2016 tour to England and Germany with "From Damascus to Kabul."
Cuatro Puntos among 3% of applicants selected for a New Music USA grant
We were among the 3% of applicants selected by New Music USA for a prestigious honor. We are excited that New Music USA is funding a commercially-available album, which is a tri-national collaboration between Cuatro Puntos, the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, and UK composer Sadie Harrison. The parts of the recording made in Afghanistan are already finished, and we will record our portion in January. You can hear the live version of Gulistan-e Nur at any of our concerts next week, with the world premiere happening Thursday in Glastonbury CT. Then our album will be available through all major digital download sites and by hard-copy through Amazon after March 1, 2016. Thanks to New Music USA, all album proceeds will go back to the Afghan children!
We were among the 3% of applicants selected by New Music USA for a prestigious honor. We are excited that New Music USA is funding a commercially-available album, which is a tri-national collaboration between Cuatro Puntos, the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, and UK composer Sadie Harrison. The parts of the recording made in Afghanistan are already finished, and we will record our portion in January. You can hear the live version of Gulistan-e Nur at any of our concerts next week, with the world premiere happening Thursday in Glastonbury CT. Then our album will be available through all major digital download sites and by hard-copy through Amazon after March 1, 2016. Thanks to New Music USA, all album proceeds will go back to the Afghan children!
Cuatro Puntos season concerts in Glastonbury supported by Greater Hartford Arts Council
The Greater Hartford Arts Council is making possible four season concerts at our home-venue of The Lutheran Church of St. Mark in Glastonbury, Connecticut.
The Greater Hartford Arts Council is making possible four season concerts at our home-venue of The Lutheran Church of St. Mark in Glastonbury, Connecticut.
Dr. Sadie Harrison is announced as composer-in-residence
for Cuatro Puntos
Dr. Harrison has done several major collaborations with Cuatro Puntos in the past- including composing "Dast be Dast" for rubab, viola, and tabla, which was triumphantly performed in a ground-breaking chamber music concert held in Kabul. Now she is writing "Gulistan-e Nur" for string sextet and Afghan youth ensemble, which will be recorded and performed around the world on three continents in 2015-16. Dr. Harrison's demonstrated success at melding folk music (especially Persian/Afghan) with western classical music, her ongoing worldwide acclaim as a composer, and her passionate and compassionate personal dedication to musical diplomacy makes her the perfect fit for this position.
for Cuatro Puntos
Dr. Harrison has done several major collaborations with Cuatro Puntos in the past- including composing "Dast be Dast" for rubab, viola, and tabla, which was triumphantly performed in a ground-breaking chamber music concert held in Kabul. Now she is writing "Gulistan-e Nur" for string sextet and Afghan youth ensemble, which will be recorded and performed around the world on three continents in 2015-16. Dr. Harrison's demonstrated success at melding folk music (especially Persian/Afghan) with western classical music, her ongoing worldwide acclaim as a composer, and her passionate and compassionate personal dedication to musical diplomacy makes her the perfect fit for this position.
Announcing our European Tour 2016
In May and June 2016, Cuatro Puntos will travel to Europe to perform "From Damascus to Kabul," the program that highlights Syrian, Iraqi, Iranian, and Afghan artists. The group has received invitations to perform as part of some of Europe's most prestigious festivals, including: the Brighton Festival (UK,) Silk Mill Festival (UK,) Purbeck Festival (UK,) and Bryanston (UK.) They have also been invited to perform and work with students at notable universities such as: Goldsmith College (London,) Trinity Laban Conservatory (London,) and the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (Germany.)
In May and June 2016, Cuatro Puntos will travel to Europe to perform "From Damascus to Kabul," the program that highlights Syrian, Iraqi, Iranian, and Afghan artists. The group has received invitations to perform as part of some of Europe's most prestigious festivals, including: the Brighton Festival (UK,) Silk Mill Festival (UK,) Purbeck Festival (UK,) and Bryanston (UK.) They have also been invited to perform and work with students at notable universities such as: Goldsmith College (London,) Trinity Laban Conservatory (London,) and the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (Germany.)
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The 2015-2016 Chamber Music for Peace workshop dates
have been announced! The second year of Chamber Music for Peace workshops have been announced! With the help of the Connecticut Office of the Arts and Avery Ensemble, in 2014-2015 over 40 students from Central Connecticut came together in Hartford to make music. They learned how to engage their community through music, and then did so at the end of the workshop. Make plans now to apply for our next round of free workshops! |
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Cuatro Puntos selected to present at National Flute Association Conference
in Washington DC
Three musicians- Mary Matthews, Pablo Issa Skaric, and Joshua Horsch- will represent Cuatro Puntos at the 43rd National Flute Association Conference. They will present a concert titled "Chamber Music for Peace," which will feature music from Afghanistan and Bolivia.
in Washington DC
Three musicians- Mary Matthews, Pablo Issa Skaric, and Joshua Horsch- will represent Cuatro Puntos at the 43rd National Flute Association Conference. They will present a concert titled "Chamber Music for Peace," which will feature music from Afghanistan and Bolivia.
St. Mark Glastonbury Series to be televised
Many of our regular season concerts at St. Mark Glastonbury are televised. The following concerts will appear on Cox Channel 15 in Central Connecticut: May 15, 2015- "Slavs and Tartars," September 24, 2015 "From Damascus to Kabul," November 6, 2015 "Beyond Borders," March 11, 2016 "Music in the Shadow of World War II," and April 22, 2016 "Beyond Music."
Many of our regular season concerts at St. Mark Glastonbury are televised. The following concerts will appear on Cox Channel 15 in Central Connecticut: May 15, 2015- "Slavs and Tartars," September 24, 2015 "From Damascus to Kabul," November 6, 2015 "Beyond Borders," March 11, 2016 "Music in the Shadow of World War II," and April 22, 2016 "Beyond Music."
Cuatro Puntos begins partnership with Hartford Performs
From 2015 onward, we will be working with Hartford Performs to be able to bring our culture-bridging projects to more schools in Hartford.
From 2015 onward, we will be working with Hartford Performs to be able to bring our culture-bridging projects to more schools in Hartford.
Dr. Sadie Harrison to visit from United Kingdom for New England tour in Fall 2015
Sadie Harrison has done several major collaborations with Cuatro Puntos in the past- including composing "Dast be Dast" for rubab, viola, and tabla, which was triumphantly performed in a ground-breaking chamber music concert held in Kabul. Now she is writing "Gulistan-e Nur" for string sextet and youth ensemble. The string sextet will be made of Cuatro Puntos musicians (2 violins, 2 violas, cello, bass.) The youth ensemble will be the Afghan Girls Ensemble of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Kabul. Videos of the girls ensemble performing in Kabul will be intertwined with the live performance by Cuatro Puntos. The final product will be an album recording featuring both ensembles. In Fall 2015, Dr. Harrison will be visiting the USA for the world premiere of this work (September 24,) three subsequent public performances, and
Sadie Harrison has done several major collaborations with Cuatro Puntos in the past- including composing "Dast be Dast" for rubab, viola, and tabla, which was triumphantly performed in a ground-breaking chamber music concert held in Kabul. Now she is writing "Gulistan-e Nur" for string sextet and youth ensemble. The string sextet will be made of Cuatro Puntos musicians (2 violins, 2 violas, cello, bass.) The youth ensemble will be the Afghan Girls Ensemble of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Kabul. Videos of the girls ensemble performing in Kabul will be intertwined with the live performance by Cuatro Puntos. The final product will be an album recording featuring both ensembles. In Fall 2015, Dr. Harrison will be visiting the USA for the world premiere of this work (September 24,) three subsequent public performances, and
Announcing our 2016 partnership with Amnesty International in India
In 2016 six musicians will take part in a tour of India, where we will visit schools in several cities to teach about cultural rights. This is in partnership with Amnesty International India's "Human Rights Education Program"
In 2016 six musicians will take part in a tour of India, where we will visit schools in several cities to teach about cultural rights. This is in partnership with Amnesty International India's "Human Rights Education Program"
Cuatro Puntos receives Fuller Foundation grant to cover album recording in Afghanistan
Cuatro Puntos has received a contribution from the Fuller Foundation toward the completion of the Afghanistan-side part of an album being collaboratively recorded by Cuatro Puntos and the Afghanistan National Institute of Music. Sadie Harrison's Gulistan-e Nur for string sextet and Afghan youth ensemble will be recorded partially in Afghanistan and partially in the USA.
Cuatro Puntos has received a contribution from the Fuller Foundation toward the completion of the Afghanistan-side part of an album being collaboratively recorded by Cuatro Puntos and the Afghanistan National Institute of Music. Sadie Harrison's Gulistan-e Nur for string sextet and Afghan youth ensemble will be recorded partially in Afghanistan and partially in the USA.
Kabul Orphanage Project is under way!
Girls at the Mehan orphanage of AFCECO in Kabul are again taking lessons.
Cuatro Puntos receives grant from the Ambache Charitable Trust for commission of Gulistan-e Nur "The Rosegarden of Light" by Sadie Harrison
Sadie Harrison has done several major collaborations with Cuatro Puntos in the past- including composing "Dast be Dast" for rubab, viola, and tabla, which was triumphantly performed in a ground-breaking chamber music concert held in Kabul. Now she is writing "Gulistan-e Nur" for string sextet and youth ensemble. The string sextet will be made of Cuatro Puntos musicians (2 violins, 2 violas, cello, bass.) The youth ensemble will be the Afghan Girls Ensemble of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Kabul. Videos of the girls ensemble performing in Kabul will be intertwined with the live performance by Cuatro Puntos. The final product will be an album recording featuring both ensembles.
Students from Region 15 School District complete a successful fundraiser for the AFCECO orphanage music program in Afghanistan!
over 150 students in the Region 15 School District (Middlebury/Southbury CT) music program put on a concert to benefit these children. It was run by the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Musicians of Cuatro Puntos performed with the students and helped organize the event. They raised enough to keep the AFCECO music program running for another year!
over 150 students in the Region 15 School District (Middlebury/Southbury CT) music program put on a concert to benefit these children. It was run by the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Musicians of Cuatro Puntos performed with the students and helped organize the event. They raised enough to keep the AFCECO music program running for another year!
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Chamber Music for Peace 2014-2015 successfully concludes This year 40 students came together for two sessions- one 3 weekend session in November, and another in February. They learned music together, learned how to engage their community, and then did just this. This program was free to students and funded by the Connecticut Office of the Arts and Greater Hartford Arts Council, and was presented in conjunction with the Avery Ensemble. |
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Composer Mohamed Aly Farag visits from Egypt for performance Mr. Farag was one of the top winners in the 2014 Zvi Zeitlin Memorial International Composer's Competition. He visited Connecticut in November 2014 for a performance of his "Rhapsody" for piano and strings. Click on the video to see the performance. |
Cuatro Puntos makes national news!
Kevin and Holly Bishop's work in Afghanistan is covered by an extensive report on "America Tonight"
Nine members of Cuatro Puntos traveled to Bolivia to teach young musicians at Orquestas Sinfónicas de Tarija and the Institute Laredo in Cochabamba
In summer 2014, nine musicians returned to teach, perform, and collaborate with these incredible young musicians and their teachers. Participating musicians: Mary Matthews, flute; Brandon Norton, trumpet; Annie Trépanier, violin; Aaron Packard, violin; Kevin Bishop, viola; Steve Larson, viola; Pablo Issa Skaric, cello; Holly Bishop, bass; Joshua Horsch, piano and orchestra conductor.
Summer 2014 in Afghanistan is a success
Holly Bishop and Kevin Bishop traveled inside a war zone, where just a few years ago all music was banned, to assist ANIM in their mission to rebuild the musical culture of Afghanistan. This residency included lessons, workshops, and concerts. Students from Connecticut and Kabul also exchanged letters. Kevin joined a young rubab student from ANIM and a guest artist from India to give the world premier of Dast be Dast (Hand to Hand) for rubab, viola, and tabla, which Cuatro Puntos commissioned from UK-based composer Sadie Harrison. This project was funded by the US Embassy of Kabul.
Holly Bishop and Kevin Bishop traveled inside a war zone, where just a few years ago all music was banned, to assist ANIM in their mission to rebuild the musical culture of Afghanistan. This residency included lessons, workshops, and concerts. Students from Connecticut and Kabul also exchanged letters. Kevin joined a young rubab student from ANIM and a guest artist from India to give the world premier of Dast be Dast (Hand to Hand) for rubab, viola, and tabla, which Cuatro Puntos commissioned from UK-based composer Sadie Harrison. This project was funded by the US Embassy of Kabul.