named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Cultural Expeditions
International trips where participants study a canonical string quartet work in the city of its composition, such as Leipzig, Barcelona, Rome, and Seville
KentMusic Seminar-Conferences
Annual workshops for experienced string players focusing on in-depth study and coaching of a major string quartet work, held at Colgate University and Seattle Pacific University
New York City Workshops
Local conferences in New York City offering focused study and performance of specific quartet works
Public Concerts
Evening performances by the Manhattan String Quartet featuring the featured work of each seminar and other repertoire
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 2 activities
- Establishing and running the Sarajevo Chamber Music FestivalFounded and operates the Sarajevo Chamber Music Festival in partnership with the Sarajevo Academy of Music, contributing to cultural and musical development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Organizing and presenting public concerts and music workshopsPlans and delivers public concerts and educational music workshops, including performances of works by composers such as Mendelssohn, Haydn, Mozart, Grieg, and contemporary figures. These events include one-on-one coaching, expert talks, and public performances.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Hosting annual teaching and performing conferences in the United StatesHosts recurring conferences for pre-professional quartets and amateur players focused on specific string quartet repertoire, providing performance and educational opportunities across the U.S.
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Arts Education Professional Development 1 activity
- Providing artistic advisory for youth music education programsServes as artistic advisor to Trenton Music Makers, an El-Sistema-inspired program that provides music education to children in Trenton, NJ, supporting capacity building in community-based arts instruction.
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Nonprofit Music Recording and Distribution 1 activity
- Recording and releasing major cycles of string quartet and chamber musicProduces complete recorded cycles of significant chamber music works, including the 15 Shostakovich string quartets (recognized by TIME Magazine in 1991), Brahms and Grieg violin sonatas, and first recordings of contemporary compositions by Carter, Davidovsky, Perle, Wuorinen, and others.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Conducting international concert toursPerforms extensive international tours, including being the first American classical ensemble to tour the Soviet Union under a 1985 cultural agreement, with subsequent sold-out tours in 1986 and 1989, and the first Asian tour in 2005 with performances in Nagoya and Tokyo.
- Organizing yearly Cultural Expedition trips to EuropeConducts annual international trips for participants to study iconic string quartet works in the European cities where they were composed, such as Leipzig, Seville, and Rome, combining historical context with musical analysis and performance.
- Serving as Quartet-in-Residence at academic institutionsHolds long-term residency positions at universities including Colgate University since 1988, and previously at the Manhattan School of Music, Cornell University, and Grinnell College, integrating performance with academic engagement.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$249K
Contributions & grants$10K4%
Program service revenue$239K96%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$287K
Program expenses97%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$103K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$138K
Cash$138K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$138K
Liquid reserves5.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +1.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Finckel | Treasurer | 40 | $19K |
| Curtis Macomber | President | 40 | $19K |
| Marka Gustavsson | Secretary | 40 | $19K |
| Sunghae Lim | Vice President | 40 | $19K |
relationships · 37
Who they work with
- American Academy of Arts and Letters Partner — Performance venue and collaborator for the Manhattan String Quartet's 2014 concert.
- Apollo Piano Trio Partner — Founding member
- Bard Festival Partner — Recent summer engagement participant
- Chamber Music Northwest Partner — Recent summer engagement participant
- Colgate University Network — Host institution for the Manhattan String Quartet's residency and the KentMusic Colgate program since 1988.
- Colgate University Partner — Hosts KentMusic Colgate program with the Manhattan String Quartet
- Colgate University Partner — Hosts the KentMusic Colgate summer program featuring performances by the quartet.
- Cornell University Network — One of the institutions where the Manhattan String Quartet has held a Quartet-in-Residence position.
- Da Capo Chamber Players Partner — Member
- Greenwich House Partner — Hosts New York City Workshop performances.
- Greenwich House Music School Partner — Hosts MSQ workshops at its facility and collaborates on event organization.
- Grinnell College Network — One of the institutions where the Manhattan String Quartet has held a Quartet-in-Residence position.
- Harvard University Government — Appointed Artist-in-Residence with the New World String Quartet from 1982 to 1990
- Juilliard School Partner — Longtime member of the chamber music faculty and alumnus with B.M., M.M., and D.M.A. degrees
- La Musica Partner — Regular participant in Sarasota
- Manhattan School of Music Network — One of the institutions where the Manhattan String Quartet has held a Quartet-in-Residence position.
- Manhattan School of Music Partner — Member of the violin faculty
- Manhattan String Quartet Partner — Member
- Mannes School of Music Partner — Member of the violin faculty
- Monadnock Music Festival Partner — Regular participant
- New World String Quartet Partner — First violinist from 1982 to 1993
- New York Chamber Soloists Partner — Member
- New York New Music Ensemble Partner — Cellobist member of the ensemble
- North Country Chamber Players Partner — Member of the chamber music group
- Ohio State University Partner — Collaborates through Dr. David Clampitt, a musicologist affiliated with the university, who gives talks at MSQ workshops.
- Pleasantville Chamber Music Society Partner — Collaborates on concert programming in Pleasantville, NY.
- Sarajevo Academy of Music Partner — Co-producer of the Sarajevo Chamber Music Festival
- Sarajevo Academy of Music Partner — Collaborated to establish the Sarajevo Chamber Music Festival.
- Sarajevo Academy of Music Partner — Collaborated with the Manhattan String Quartet to establish the Sarajevo Chamber Music Festival in 2011.
- Seattle Pacific University Partner — Hosts KentMusic Seattle program with the Manhattan String Quartet
+ 7 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Advocacy for Contemporary Musicmethodology: proponent-of-new-musicBy performing, commissioning, and interpreting works by living composers and 20th-century innovators, the organization integrates new music into the classical mainstream, because consistent exposure and dedicated performance elevate underrepresented voices and expand the repertoire’s relevance.
- Deep Repertory Immersionmethodology: deep_repertory_immersionBy focusing intensively on a single major string quartet work, participants develop deeper understanding and appreciation of both the specific piece and the broader practices of quartet performance, because sustained engagement with complex works fosters nuanced musical insight.
- El-Sistema Inspired Music Educationmethodology: El-Sistema inspiredBy using an El-Sistema inspired model, the organization promotes artistic development and community engagement among children, because accessible, ensemble-based music education fosters both individual growth and social cohesion.