We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rebecca Hamilton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rebecca, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

As a classically trained violinist, it’s been a real concern to see fewer people attending classical music concerts. This isn’t a new issue; it’s been happening for years. Classical music isn’t connecting with as many people as it once did, and that’s a challenge for those of us in the field.

At Project String Quartet, we wanted to change that. I’ve always had a passion for playing in a string quartet, and I believed we could share that passion with others. We noticed that classical music was starting to catch people’s attention again, especially when it was used in TV shows and movies in a new way. It looked like people were ready for a blend of the classic and the contemporary.

Looking at the music played at events and weddings, we realized it was traditional but lacked the energy that modern audiences look for. We saw an opportunity there. Our idea was to take the well-known classical pieces and mix them with the pop songs people love today. We chose pop songs that would sound great on our string instruments and gave them a fresh twist.

Our aim was for our music to spark conversations and excitement, not just be background noise. That became our focus with Project String Quartet.

We became known for bringing a fresh take to the scene. We carefully combined the old with the new, ensuring our performances were enjoyable for everyone.

This approach helped us bring a new relevance to classical music. At each event we played, we proved that classical music, when presented in a fresh way, could still be a hit with today’s audiences.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

At Project String Quartet, we really wanted our song arrangements to stand out. We invested a lot of time in getting our renditions just right, making sure they truly matched the original pop songs while also having our own string twist.

It was important to find musicians who were not only skilled but also passionate about bringing a new sound to pop music with our strings. Once we teamed up, we got straight to work practicing, making each song ready for performance.

The search for new music to adapt is a continuous adventure. We’re constantly diving back into the process, investing our time to discover what resonates.

We reach out to our clients, draw inspiration from our quartet members’ favorites, and listen to the pulse of current trends.

Some of our members love classic rock hits, and others love the latest Top 40. Whatever the song choice, our aim is to breathe new life into these pieces, reimagining them through the rich tones of a string quartet.

We love it when our clients request songs we haven’t yet explored. These tracks often hold a special place in our clients’ hearts: a song that defines a couple’s journey, a first dance number, or a melody that brings back fond memories.

It’s these personal touches that make our performances truly unique and deeply meaningful.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Our mission is to bring a fresh twist to events by making classical music exciting and accessible to everyone. We’re here to show that our strings can add a special touch to any celebration.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Artists and creatives are also entrepreneurs. They need access to education on how to run their ventures and funding to help bring new ideas to life. This kind of support is crucial for keeping the arts scene lively and successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.projectstringquartet.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectstringquartet/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectstringquartet
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9UrArc8pJuwfqcGWnx6QUw
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/project-string-quartet-brentwood
• Other: https://soundcloud.com/project-string-quartet