A string of successes: Project String Quartet

International violinist, teacher and chamber musician Graham Oppenheimer believes that string quartets are the perfect vehicle for introducing and exploring chamber music in schools: ‘I'm biased, because I played in string quartets throughout my career, but we have the greatest repertoire. There is so much repertoire, by so many fantastic composers. It's a very practical way of running a project too – string quartets can be transported easily, and don't require a piano. We can show up to any school hall and make a hugely powerful sound in a range of styles.’

Oppenheimer has coached string quartets at Chetham's School of Music, the Wigmore Hall, and a number of conservatoires internationally, and believes that there should be more emphasis on the possibilities of education work for chamber ensembles: ‘I feel like this is quite an untapped area,’ he says, ‘and younger groups might not be as aware of how to be involved in the community. There are all sorts of opportunities that become available through this type of work – whether it's performing, collaborating, or funding partnerships – and it's highly rewarding. The “artistic” nature of string quartets can mean getting focused on the minutiae, being in a bit of a bubble, and perhaps no longer being connected to the real world.’