Our Mission:

The Friends of the Opus 76 Quartet Foundation 501(c)3 was created in December 2019 to support the charitable works of The Opus 76 Quartet, and aid it in fulfilling its community mission and values.

The Friends of the Opus 76 Quartet Foundation connects the Opus 76 Quartet to the local community directly in a number of ways including young musician mentoring and school clinics, free and accessible musical events, affordable tickets for performances and  free resources for music educators.

Our Board President is Dr. Stefan Offenbach, and other Board members are:

Dr. Janet Giesing

Marny Sherman

Torrence Leathers

Cynthia Westbrook

Violinist Keith Stanfield serves as the foundation’s Executive Director.

The Opus 76 Quartet pursues several artistic goals that reflect our commitment to both tradition and innovation in classical music. We aim to bring an expressive, energetic and dynamic interpretation to the string quartet repertoire, blending a deep respect for classical works with a passion for exploring contemporary settings. 

Our performances are designed to communicate a profound emotional resonance and a keen insight into the music we present. This dual focus allows us to connect with audiences on multiple levels, engaging both with the timeless aspects of classical music and the fresh perspectives and needs of modern society.

In terms of assessing the quality of our arts programs and services, the Opus 76 Quartet employs a variety of evaluative methods. Our approach includes soliciting feedback from audiences, engaging with critics, and reflecting on our own artistic experiences. By maintaining a dialogue with our listeners and peers, we are able to gauge the impact of our performances and continuously refine our approach. 

Additionally, the commitment we have to innovation and excellence is reflected in their socially attuned programming and the high standards we set for our artistic endeavors, ensuring that our work remains both relevant and of the highest quality.

The Opus 76 Quartet has formed meaningful partnerships with a variety of organizations to further its mission of bringing classical music to diverse audiences. 

Collaborations with local schools and educational institutions across the KC Metro area (including being Educators-in-Residence at the Youth Symphony of Kansas City since 2022) have enabled the quartet to offer masterclasses, workshops, and educational concerts, fostering a love for music among students. 

Partnerships with community centers and cultural organizations including The Midwest Trust Center and The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception have helped extend their reach to underserved populations, ensuring that high-quality classical music is accessible to all. 

Additionally, the quartet has worked with other arts organizations including  The Kansas City Ballet (with whom they have an Artistic Partnership), The Kansas City Symphony, The Lyric Opera of Kansas City, The Oklahoma City Ballet, Kansas Public Radio, PBS and The Cincinnati Ballet as well as celebrated soloists Paul Neubauer, David Krakauer and David Kim to present innovative concert series and collaborative performances multiple times since 2021, enriching the cultural landscape of Kansas City. 

These partnerships are integral to the Opus 76 Quartet’s efforts to engage, educate, and inspire the community through the power of music.

Support for the Opus 76 Quartet’s mission is essential for expanding access to high-quality and community-oriented arts experiences in Kansas City. Such contributions enable us to offer a variety of performances, including educational outreach programs, workshops, and free or low-cost concerts that reach underserved communities. This support ensures that our artistic endeavors are accessible to a wider audience, deepening appreciation for classical music, uniting different community sectors at our performances, and thereby enriching the region's cultural fabric.

The Opus 76 Quartet plays a vital role in sustaining and enhancing the vibrant arts scene in the region by being a dynamic and critically acclaimed presence in both local and broader musical landscapes. Our dedication to blending classical repertoire with contemporary settings contributes uniquely to a rich and diverse cultural environment. Additionally, our community engagement efforts bolster local arts networks and create valuable opportunities for collaboration with other artistic and educational institutions, such as the Kansas City Ballet and the Youth Symphony of Kansas City.

Currently, we are involved in several partnerships and collaborations that highlight our commitment to artistic and community development. This includes working with the Kansas City Ballet, the Youth Symphony of Kansas City, and various school districts in the KC Metro area. We offer workshops, a young chamber artist program, and masterclasses, and we are collaborating with fellow musicians, choreographers, and composers to create and perform new works. These partnerships not only expand our artistic reach but also contribute to a thriving cultural scene by connecting diverse audiences with innovative and inspiring musical experiences.

In addition to these activities, funding supports performances and group classes where students from our Senior Citizens outreach programs and our Youth initiatives perform together, helping to integrate our community across age divides. Grants would also enable us to develop our diversity and inclusion policies further, enhance our website's ADA compliance, and create programming tailored for sensory sensitivity.

Support we receive from foundations, corporations and private individuals significantly enhance the Opus 76 Quartet’s charitable activities and mission. 

Such support enables the quartet to expand our outreach programs, bringing classical music to a broader audience, particularly underserved communities who might not have access to live performances otherwise. It allows the quartet to offer more free and reduced-tickets to concerts, ensuring that high-quality classical music is accessible to all, regardless of economic status.

Moreover, Grants and Giving to The Friends of the Opus 76 Quartet Foundation bolster the quartet's educational initiatives, such as our masterclasses and workshops in schools and community centers. These programs are vital in fostering a love for music among young people and providing them with opportunities to engage with professional musicians. By supporting these educational activities, our generous donors and supporters help cultivate the next generation of musicians and music lovers, contributing to the cultural enrichment of the community.

Additionally, support facilitates the quartet’s ability to commission new works and collaborate with other artists, further enriching the cultural landscape of Kansas City. These collaborations and new compositions would not only enhance the quartet's repertoire but also provide audiences with fresh and innovative musical experiences.

The impact on the people served by the Opus 76 Quartet’s mission is profound. As a result of supporting the Friends of The Opus 76 Quartet Foundation, residents of Kansas City, particularly those in underserved areas,  have increased opportunities to experience live classical music, which is as we know a transformative experience. 

Exposure to live performances has been shown to enhance emotional well-being, foster a sense of community, and inspire creativity. For students, especially those in schools with limited arts funding, the quartet’s educational programs can ignite a passion for music, improve academic performance, and provide a positive outlet for expression.

Our charitable mission lies at the heart of everything we do. Our mission informs our 5 year strategic plan, and gives us our measurable Key Performance Indicators, which have strongly aided the overall ability of The Opus 76 Quartet to serve our community.

We have a strong track record of domestic and international acclaim, evidenced by previous projects such as the 2020 Beethoven Cycle in association with KPR, our successful chamber music program at the Youth Symphony of Kansas City and the positive impact on the community our concerts have had since 2017. Much of this early on in our history was achieved without foundational support, and solely funded from ticket sales to events and private giving. 

In desiring to expand our efforts to meet community demand, we have since then been proudly supported by organizations including The National Endowment for the Arts, The Kansas Arts Commission, The Sherman Foundation, The Francis Family Foundation and Arts KC.

We have a history of prudent fiscal oversight, and have used Creative Planning to prepare all of our 990 returns. 

Our programs were all created to meet gaps in the community, and designed by a skilled, experienced and committed staff and board with expertise relevant to our Mission. 

Our audiences historically reflect a variety of demographic backgrounds, and participants in our community programs are highly engaged and dedicated. Testimonials are available upon request.