Cerus Quartet (2026)

And isn't that a perfect segue into why you're here, the Soundgarden Project, popping up like flowers around the area.

You're the first of three ensembles in Northern Michigan this summer as part of the Soundgarden Project.

And you've done this before.

Could you describe, first of all, the Soundgarden Project to those who haven't encountered it yet?

Absolutely.

So the basic premise of the Soundgarden project is to plant music in unexpected places.

So last year we were here at Interlochen and also up at Glen Arbor.

We played at places like the gas station, at shops, just walking around on the street, just going up to people and trying to brighten their day with a little bit of music and introduce them to classical music and the saxophone.

So when you were growing up and practicing your saxophone, were you having grand images of playing at the gas station?

Absolutely.

Yeah, but I mean, in all seriousness, I think it's a really cool opportunity to introduce people to this medium.

People that might not otherwise go to a classical music concert and that might not know how to listen to classical music to really demystify it and be able to connect with them more.

Right.

And so do you have any good stories from last summer? Did people think you were out busking ever?

Yeah.

We did get a couple donation requests.

But no, I think the most memorable story for me was actually at the gas station here by Interlochen.

We had an older man come to us and at first a little maybe hesitant to kind of give us some time to play something.

But then once we started and we connected with him and we started asking him about his life, he really got emotional in talking about his own musical experience in band.

And also his father, I think, was a trumpet player.

And we just played some piece that might not be as special to us, but it did make him tear up.

just from that connection so even if it's music you didn't know there was still that um that impact

oh that's great now you'll be at more than the interlocking gas station this year um the whole schedule of each visiting group including the saris quartet c-e-r-u-s can be downloaded at soundgardenproject.org so part of your 10 days of free music include sound samples what are those

So sound samples are kind of what we described as the premise of the Soundgarden project is us approaching people on the street or in a specified location, whether that be a market or a store or a gas station.

And we essentially approach them and kind of give a 30-second elevator pitch of the Soundgarden project.