Beo String Quartet to perform in Ridgecrest, Oct. 8

The Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society (RCMS) is pleased to announce that its 2023-24 season will begin on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. with a performance by the Beo String Quartet (first violin, second violin, viola and cello).

Beo String Quartet was founded in 2015 in Pittsburgh by two brothers, Jason and Sean Neukom who wanted to record a song called "Happy, Happy" composed by Sean. However, to do so, they needed two more players. To date, the group has had 65 world premieres and 145 concert works played throughout the U.S., South America and Europe. The members' activities include touring, composing, performing, recording and teaching. Beo has founded a publishing entity (Beo Publishing), built a recording studio and started their own recording label, NeuKraft Records.

The quartet is comprised of Jason Neukom (violin), Sean Neukom (viola) and Ryan Ash (cello). The fourth and newest member of the group is Andrew "Gio" Giordano (violin) formerly with the Colorado-based Altus Quartet for nine seasons. He was a founding member of the group. Giordano was educated at Indiana University and Southern Methodist University where he earned his Bachelors and Masters respectively. He is a music teacher and operates a private studio with his wife. Giordano is, "passionate about enabling kids from underserved communities to study music, regardless of income". Visit http://www.beostringquartet.com/about-beo for more information.

The quartet's program in Ridgecrest will be as follows:

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), String Quartet in G major, Op. 33 No. 5 Hob.III:41 (four movements).

Sean Neukom (b. 1983), "El Balcón" (Written for Beo String Quartet).

Gabriela Ortiz (b. 1964), "Mictlán" (Place of the Dead), from "Altar de Muertos."

Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884), String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, Op. 116 ("From My Life"), four movements.

Don't forget that, starting this season, RCMS concerts will be held at a new venue: Ridgecrest Methodist Church, 639 North Norma Street.

A General Admission season ticket is $165 and $135 for seniors. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for individual concerts: $30 General, $25 Senior and $5 Student and Active-Duty Military. With the lineup we have, we hope you will want to attend all the concerts, and, by buying a season ticket, you save. Seating is unassigned, so it's worth coming early. When you do, you have a front-row seat to live music played for you right here in Ridgecrest by some of the best musicians in the world.

As we look forward to again welcoming Beo String Quartet. RCMS wishes to thank the many dedicated patrons who continue to support the mission of bringing beautiful and inspiring music to the Ridgecrest area, as well as supporting music education for the students of this community.