CREATIVE MUSIC GROUP

 

Imagine the Danish String Quartet’s arrangements of Nordic folk tunes played by a group of musicians in Montana.

But wait, you don’t have to use your imagination. There is a group in Montana called Stillwater Strings, which according to violinist Lindsey Selman has been “smitten” with those folk tune arrangements. And that’s only a part of what they enjoy. They revel in the classics such as Debussy’s Claire de Lune. Their repertoire includes Latin music, traditional music, and Jazz standards, such as Cole Porter’s You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To.

These beautiful arrangements are played at weddings in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and Idaho. They have performed at the Strawberry Festival in Billings, Montana, and at non-profit events for groups such as LaVie, an early pregnancy center, and Family Services. They’ve been included in concerts with the Billings Symphony, Rocky Mountain College, and the Yellowstone Chamber Players.

Stillwater Strings began as a traditional string quartet: two violins, viola, and cello. Expanding to include other musicians has made possible a variety of forms: string, trio, chamber orchestra, and ensembles which include guitar, piano, harp, and string bass.

“I think we have a really special privilege of sharing the gifts of beauty, art, and creativity with the world around us and sharing many of life’s milestone moments with people from all walks of life,” writes Lindsey. “In an increasingly impersonal world, live music brings people together and fosters a sense of connection with our loved ones, our community, an often, our higher purpose in the world.”