609 Congress St
Portland, ME 04101
USA
Palaver Strings is a musician-led string ensemble and nonprofit organization based in Portland, ME. Founded in 2014, Palaver has established itself as a forward-thinking ensemble whose mission is to strengthen and inspire community through music. In our musician-led model, Palaver’s musicians share artistic and administrative leadership, guided by a passion for engaging new audiences, addressing social justice issues, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Palaver has toured widely throughout the United States, performing at the Kennedy Center and a celebration of the Lullaby Project at Carnegie Hall. The ensemble has enjoyed residencies at Rockport Music (2019-2020), Boston Center for the Arts (2017-2019), and Bay Chamber Concerts (ongoing). Each year, Palaver presents 40+ live performances featuring diverse musical programming, cross-genre projects, and community collaborations. Equally committed to education, Palaver offers quality music instruction through the Palaver Music Center in Portland, currently serving over 325 students per year.
Zodiac (November 2022):
This program is centered around the Zodiac Suite, a 1945 masterpiece by jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams. Inspired by Williams’ musical contemporaries and their respective zodiac signs, this twelve-movement piece is packed with personality and kaleidoscopic character changes. Palaver will join forces with acclaimed jazz pianist Chris Patishall, who will bring this piece to life in a new arrangement for jazz trio and strings. Palaver will also perform pieces by two other pioneering women, Jessie Montgomery and Lili Boulanger.