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The Jupiter String Quartet stands at the forefront of the younger generation of classical chamber music ensembles. Presenting a unique series of programs in celebration of Beethoven’s 250^th birthday, the Quartet will also perform music by Mozart and Shostakovich at 7:30 p.m. March 28 in the Doudna Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. The Doudna is located on the campus of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Tickets for this special night of chamber music are available now.

The Jupiter String Quartet is a particularly intimate group, comprised of violinists Nelson Lee and Megan Freivogel, violist Liz Freivogel – Meg’s sister - and cellist Daniel McDonough – Meg’ husband.  Meg and Liz grew up playing string quartets with their two brothers and grew to love chamber music. Nelson also comes from a musical family--both parents are pianists (his father also conducts) and his twin sisters, Alicia and Andrea, play clarinet and cello. Although Daniel originally wanted to be a violinist, he ended up on the cello because the organizers of his first strings program told the five-year old that he had “better hands for the cello.” Meg, Nelson and Daniel met at the Cleveland Institute of Music. When they were searching for a violist, Meg suggested her sister Liz, who was at nearby Oberlin College. The four musicians finished their schooling together at the New England Conservatory of Music in the Professional String Quartet Training Program.

The Jupiter String Quartet is in its 6^th years as Artists-In-Residence at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. In addition to maintaining a formal concert and teaching schedule, the Jupiters place a strong emphasis on developing relationships with future classical music audiences through outreach work in the schools and other educational performances. They believe that chamber music is one of the most effective ways of spreading an enthusiasm for “classical” music to new audiences.                     

The Jupiter String Quartet’s Doudna Fine Arts Center performance is sponsored by the EIU Classical Music Artists Series.

Tickets for the Jupiter String Quartet are $16 for general admission, $13 for seniors (62+), and $7 for all students and can be purchased online at www.doudnatix.com or at the Doudna Fine Arts Center Box Office. Box Office hours are Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and one hour prior to the scheduled performance.

The Doudna Fine Arts Center is located at 1860 South 7th Street in Charleston on the campus of Eastern Illinois University. Convenient free parking is located near the fine arts center. To arrange accommodations for those needing special assistance, contact Doudna Fine Arts Patron Services at 217-581-3110 or doudnatix@eiu.edu.