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Members of the Portland String Quartet Society, and guests, at a benefit for the PSQ Learning Fund.

The Portland String Quartet Society

The PORTLAND STRING QUARTET SOCIETY (formerly the LARK Society for Chamber Music) is a 501(c) 3 charitable organization dedicated to improving the cultural lives of Maine residents by providing them with opportunities to listen to and learn about chamber music from the highly acclaimed, internationally recognized, Portland String Quartet.
Since its inception in 1980, the PSQ Society has endeavored to remain at the forefront of the local art scene by implementing fresh policies and programs that make chamber music accessible to people of all ages and incomes.

PSQ Society as Innovators
The Portland String Quartet Society and Portland String Quartet itself have a proven commitment to building knowledge and love of music in future generations of concert-goers through our innovative programs and policies that educate people of all ages in the wonder of string quartet music and engender in them a life-long love of intimate, carefully wrought chamber music. Some of these innovations include a Free Ticket Policy for those 21 and younger, and our enormously popular Welcome to Chamber Music recital with commentary program. We created our subsidized ticket policy for those with restricted incomes to enable more people to enjoy great Chamber Music in the State of Maine. 

Former PSQ second violinist Ronald Lantz and violist Julia Adams.

PSQ Society as Collaborators
The Portland String Quartet Society and the PSQ actively collaborate with other municipal and cultural organizations. As stated above, the PSQ Concert Series includes VentiCordi Chamber Music and the Lantz- Kargul Violin and Piano Duo. Past collaborators in Maine have included; Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick; Ram Island Dance, Portland Museum of Art, Portland's Downtown District, Portland Conservatory of Music, Bates College, Colby College, Rivertree Arts in Kennebunk, and more than a dozen Maine high schools.

PSQ Society's Sustainability

The Portland String Quartet Society raises funds to support its programs through a variety of sources including advertising in the concert program; grants; contributions; local business support; ticket sales and sponsorships.

PSQS Board of Directors & Staff

David Cosgrove

President 

Tracey Richardson-Newton

Treasurer, Interim

Sarah Hoag

Secretary

Burt Helm

Vice President

Shirley Helfrich

Past President

Carolyn Paulin

PSQS Board Member

George Burns

Advisor

Drew Krause

PSQS Board Member

Kayla Adelman

Director of Operations

Dean Stein, Callie Brennan, Brianna Fischler

PSQ Representatives

Apply to become a board member.

The Portland String Quartet Society is seeking collaborative and community minded individuals who are passionate about serving the community through music.

Recruitment Priorities:​

  • Legal expertise 

  • Non-profit administration experience 

  • Development & Fundraising Experience

  • Marketing & Promotional Experience

  • Music Educators and Educational Administrators

Board Prospect Criteria:

  • Diversity across age, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation, languages spoken, ability, and cultural expertise

  • Demonstrates values in alignment with PSQS mission and values

To apply fill out an application by clicking the button below. You can send any additional information (resume, experience, etc..) or a request for a printed application to PSQSociety@gmail.com

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