SHERMAN, TX-Two-time Grammy award winning musicians made a stop in Sherman Friday night to show their support for a local performing arts organization.
The Turtle Island quartet pulled the heartstrings of the community Friday, playing on behalf of Community Series, Inc., which brings world-class artists to Sherman.
Music filled the Sherman Municipal Ballroom Friday night as the Turtle Island Quartet made the strings 'sing' for dozens of people, as part of Community Series, Inc.'s Capriccio benefit.

"It's awesome. I mean, it's fantastic to be able to be supportive. I mean, let's face it, the arts are so incredibly important to our culture and to making a vibrant society," said the quartet's cellist and founding member, Mark Summer.

He also said bringing the performing arts to Sherman is a high note for the group. Community Series manager Joe Hicks said sharing this music with the community is what the series is all about.

"Part of our mission is to bring world class music to the area and this is really an outstanding group," he said.

Hicks said donations collected from this event will go to the Community Series' budget, allowing them invite artists like the Turtle Island Quartet to perform in Sherman.

"What we attempt to do is just to establish a very broad base of people who might be exposed to this type of music that might, literally in their lifetime, haven't the opportunity to see something like this," he said.

The Turtle Island Quartet played some of their original pieces, as well as music by legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Summer said working in harmony with the organization to bring musical performances to the community provides a unique experience to those who've never seen a string quartet before.

"It's really thrilling and some people never would've heard a string quartet and here we're coming to Sherman and we're not playing Beethoven, we're not playing Mozart, we're not playing Brahms, as much as we love those composers. We're playing the music of Jimi Hendrix," he said.

"I hope it inspires people to get more interested in the arts and in listening to the vibrant chamber music that's being created in the United States right now," Summer added.

You can still catch the Turtle Island Quartet.

They will hold another concert at Austin College's Wynne Chapel, Saturday, February 25th, 7:30 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults, free for students and children.