Griffon String Quartet to Perform at Maritime Museum

The newly named Griffon String Quartet.

In the fall of 2018, Midsummer’s Music in Door County, the Fine Arts Institute at East High in Green Bay, and St. Norbert College in De Pere launched a groundbreaking project to enhance student learning and academic achievement through increased exposure to — and participation in — music. The result is a three-year program to embed a professional resident string quartet ensemble into the classrooms of schools throughout Door and Brown counties.

The quartet comprises Ryan Louie, cello; Blakeley Menghini, viola; Roy Meyer, violin; and Vinicius Sant’ Ana, violin. These musicians performed their premiere concert at the Miller Art Museum on Oct. 13 and plan to work with seniors in the new year.

On Jan. 16, Midsummer’s Music will host an event at the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay in celebration of the quartet’s newly-chosen name: Griffon String Quartet, which comes from the 17th-century sailing vessel Le Griffon. The Maritime Museum was chosen as the venue because of the Great Lakes connection.

Maritime Museum Executive Director Kevin Osgood said, “It’s exciting for The Door County Maritime Museum to be a part of the Midsummer’s Music announcement event. Music has long been a part of life aboard ships, and in maritime communities like ours it’s been a part of life for centuries. We’re looking forward to sharing in this experience with Midsummer’s Music and our community.”

The party, which is free and open to the public, runs 4-6 pm and includes refreshments, a toast and a performance by the Griffon String Quartet. For more information, visit midsummersmusic.com.