String Quartet Showcases its Talent on Campus, in Surrounding Communities With approximately 5,000 students attending Harding University, there was a wide variety of talent on campus this year. For freshmen Maggie Nowlin and Jared Stillwall, sophomore Natalie Rabeck . and junior Renee Henderson, their talent was playing in the string quartet . The string quartet is an ensemble that consists of four stringed instruments comprising alto, soprano, tenor and bass sections similar to the four sections found in a choir. Nowlin and Stillwall played the violin; Rabeck played the viola, and Henderson played the cello. The director of the string quartet is Dr. Patricia Cox, associate professor of music. Auditions for the string quartet are held annually, but it is a prerequisite to be a member of the university orchestra. Each member of the quartet is also awarded a scholarship. The string quartet performs each year at the Black and Gold banquet, the home- " A quartet is an entity. It takes a lot of talent and ability to be a part ofthis group, and I feel that we are blessed at Harding to have the talent and interest. - Dr. Patricia Cox, string quartet sponsor " coming parents' brunch and many other formal events on campus. "BaSically the string quartet will be found at any formal event on campus," Cox said. The string quartet was not just limited to campus events; this Christmas Freshman Maggie Nowlin, one of two violinists in the string quartet, practices a new piece of music. The quartet periormed at several formal events on campus throughout the year. Photo by Jim Miller. Junior Renee Henderson, cellist, harmonizes with the other instruments in the quartet. The members met each Monday night to practice and perfect their pieces. Photo by Daniel Dubois. ~~ ____________ ~ __ ~B~a~n~d=s ~ Organizations they played Christmas songs in one of the homes on the Associate Women of Harding's tour of homes. The string quartet was also hired to play at weddings and other formal events. "Since we only practice once a week, most of our performances are for campus related events," Cox said. "A quartet is an entity, it has been a tradition since the 18th century and is a part of western culture. "It is so nice because a quartet has four parts, an alto, soprano, tenor and bass that are similar to a choir," Cox said. "It takes a lot of talent and ability to be a member of this group, and 1 feel that we are blessed at Harding to have the talent and interest." Along with the experience of performing, playing in the string quartet gave the members the opportunity to be a part of a smaller, more unified group. "I enjoyed working in a small group," Nowlin said. "It's neat to go out and play in the community." - Meredith Garrity
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