International Day of Peace Observation and Hurricane Harvey Relief Concert Music of Peace and Reconciliation, Apollo Chamber Players All proceeds from this event went towards Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston's efforts to help homebound seniors and refugee families affected by Hurricane Harvey.

In observation of International Day of Peace, Apollo Chamber Players performed a program of music for string quartet by Grammy-winning American composers Libby Larsen and Phillip Glass, Millennial composer Alexandra du Bois, and Syrian-American composer Malek Jandali.

Libby Larsen’s "Sorrow Song and Jubilee" (2014) is inspired by the relationship between African-American composer Henry Thacker Burleigh and Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, fusing spirituals with Czech idioms. Syrian-American composer Malek Jandali incorporates centuries-old folk music from his home country in his works, featuring "String Quartet in E-Flat Major" (2017). Millennial composer Alexandra du Bois was inspired by the on-going refugee crisis in Syria and by people displaced as a result of war and conflict to compose her latest string quartet, subtitled "Obala" or "Sea," (2016) a piece about peace. Philip Glass' work takes listeners to a place of inner peace and reflection in his String Quartet No. 3, "Mishima" (1985).

About the presenters: Apollo Chamber Players is a Houston-based non-profit chamber music organization that explores the cultural and folkloric influences in classical music. Apollo presents thematically-programmed concerts around the world, with the distinction of being the first American chamber ensemble to record and perform in Cuba in January 2017. In Cuba, the group collaborated with renowned local musicians and was featured on CUBA TV, reaching millions. In 2013 and 2017, Apollo performed for sold-out audiences at Carnegie Hall, and the ensemble has been presented by Chamber Music Society of Little Rock, Piccolo Spoleto, and at Seattle, Texas A&M and Carnegie Mellon Universities, among others. The ensemble is featured frequently on American Public Media’s nationally-syndicated program, Performance Today. Apollo partners with refugee service organizations, veterans groups, and it reaches thousands of students annually through its impactful educational programming. Ensemble musicians include Matthew J. Detrick, violin and Artistic Director; Anabel Ramirez, violin; Whitney Bullock, viola and Educational Outreach Director; and Matthew Dudzik, cello. Learn more by visiting apollochamberplayers.org.