The Overlook

Our debut album production is in full swing with meetings about artwork, liner notes, and lots of other fun deadlines! Here are a few pics from our weekend of recording last month in NYC. It was truly an honor to work with Grammy winning producer @elainemartone and recording engineer @gnorvila . They steered us during an intense three days of playing, singing and stomping our way through music by Shelley Washington, Trevor Weston, Leila Adu, Shanan Estreicher, Forbes Graham, and Carlos Simon. @shelleyplaysaxy , @treston9 , @leilaadu , @shanan_estreicher_composer , @forbesgraham_ , @carlos_simon_music We all know that recording can be very stressful, but this time the vibes were calming, encouraging, and incredibly positive. And then there was champagne 🥂🤍 . . . . . #stringquartet #chambermusic #newmusic

A clip from “Say” by Shelley Washington. We love this incredibly unique and compelling work where we play our instruments, while simultaneously singing and performing all sorts of body percussion to emphasize Shelley’s refrain, “Say it Loud”! And we definitely appreciate Shelley’s note about the singing: “There is no need to panic about having a “classically trained” sound if you do not typically sing in performance. Sing with whatever your most comfortable and confident sounding voice is. It doesn’t need to be ‘pretty’ or even especially accurate for that matter- the rawness of human speech tha forays into singing, I think, can be one of the most affecting and poignant sounds. It is earnest, and I love that. If it is your best try, that’s all I can ask for.” 🤍✔️ . . . . . #stringquartet #chambermusic #classicalmusic #contemporarymusic #newmusic #violin #viola #cello #violinist #violist #cellist #livemusic #liveconcert #nycmusicians #composer #strings #stringmusic #concert #nycmusicians #manhattan #nyc #femalemusicians #ontour #livingcomposers #femalecomposers #artists

We're very excited and privileged to announce that @overlookquartet will be joining our family of ensembles! The Overlook was formed in 2020 by some of New York's most accomplished string players - Yezu Woo, Laura Metcalf, Angela Pickett and Monica Davis - with a focus on curating vibrant, unexpected programs that transform sometimes unfamiliar music into unforgettable experiences that audiences crave hearing again. We are thrilled! Click the link in bio for more info. 📷 @hslinnyc #chambermusic #stringquartet #womeninmusic

New Release!🎊 Lament, composed by Kenji Bunch, is performed by clarinetist James Shields and The Overlook string quartet. Lament is the second single release from their upcoming album titled Cookbook! @kenjibunch @jamestshields @overlookquartet 🎧 Listen to it now on all platforms! 🔗 Link in bio 👆🏼

Our upcoming debut album includes several pieces that were written for and dedicated to us 🤍 Here is a clip from a “I laughed so hard I cried - for Judee Sill” by Shanan Estreicher @shanan_estreicher_composer Shanan’s piece came to us through a special collaboration with the @nytimes “Overlooked” series. This column publishes posthumous obituaries about remarkable people whose deaths, beginning in 1851, went unreported. Composers were asked to choose a figure, and compose a piece inspired by their life and work. American singer-songwriter Judee Sill (1944-1979) was influenced by Bach, wrote lyrics drawing on Christian themes of rapture and redemption, and was the first artist signed to David Geffen’s record label. Her personal life was tumultuous, and following a series of car accidents and a failed back surgery, Sill struggled with drug addiction and dropped out of the music scene. “I laughed so hard I cried” is a nostalgic reflection on a musical life cut short too soon. . . . . . #stringquartet #chambermusic #newmusic

Thanks to @strathmorearts , and everyone who came to hear us play and chat at Strathmore Mansion! It was a whirlwind 24 hours: we left NYC at 10am, drove through a quick blizzard, and arrived at the gorgeous mansion just as the sun was coming out again! After our sound-check we played the concert, chatted with the lovely audience about our repertoire and process, had a late-night dinner, and then left at 5am to drive back to NYC ✔️ . . . . . #stringquartet #chambermusic #newmusic #violin #cello

Happy International Women’s Day! 💪✨ Feeling extra grateful to be surrounded by such inspiring women this year — we kicked it off by recording our debut album with the wonderful ladies of @overlookquartet , recorded by the powerhouse team @elainemartone and @gnorvila . Also a throwback to the coldest weekend in NYC back in February, when everyone was warned to stay inside but we were making our way downtown to @renaissancerecordingnyc every day 😂 Stay tuned for this recording of some of the coolest music you’ll hear by living composers!! 📷 @pete.donovan.music #internationalwomensday #womeninmusic #classicalmusic #stringquartet #chambermusic

The 2nd Annual @classical_brunch_showcase at @apap365 is underway! Kicking things off with @overlookquartet followed by @westerliesmusic . #classicalmusic #contemporarymusic #chambermusic

Kicking off our 2026 season with two NYC performances this week! ✨ Please come out this Thursday, January 8 at 7pm for a fun show at @kismithgallery in a program of selections from our upcoming debut album! Music by @shelleyplaysaxy @shanan_estreicher_composer @gabriella.coati and @carlos_simon_music . We are passionate about this repertoire and know you will love it too, especially in the unique setting of the Ki Smith Gallery. Ticket link in bio ✔️ And for those of you participating in the @apap365 conference, we will be playing a short set on the @classical_brunch_showcase at 9am sharp this Saturday at the @edengallery on 5th avenue and 51st Street! We’d love to see some friendly faces there.

Scenes from our recent concert at The Gordon House - Frank Lloyd Wright’s only design built in Oregon! @the_gordon_house It was a gorgeous evening of music, wine, snacks and architecture, with a perfect sunset as the backdrop. Swipe for a clip of Kenji Bunch’s “Cookbook” for clarinet and string quartet, performed here with James Shields @kenjibunch @jamestshields 🤍🤍 . . . . . #stringquartet #chambermusic #classicalmusic #contemporarymusic #newmusic #violin #viola #cello #violinist #violist #cellist #livemusic #nycmusicians #composer #strings #stringmusic #concert #nycmusicians #manhattan #nyc #femalemusicians #ontour #livingcomposers #femalecomposers #portland #oregon #clarinet #pinotnoir #oregonwines #pdx

Last Sunday morning at @chatterpdx ❤️ It was an early morning, and the first of two concerts that day, but the incredibly warm and enthusiastic audience made for such a nice vibe! We gave the World Premiere of “Cookbook” for clarinet and string quartet by @kenjibunch , and played favorites by @shanan_estreicher_composer , and @shelleyplaysaxy , (swipe ➡️ for a clip of her piece “Say”). We are in awe of @chatterpdx , and their counterpart @chatterabq for presenting new music to urban audiences every single Sunday morning of the year! Excellent music + coffee, pastries, and community 🤍 Thanks for inviting us to Portland for the first time! . . . . . #stringquartet #chambermusic #classicalmusic #contemporarymusic #newmusic #violin #viola #cello #violinist #violist #cellist #livemusic #nycmusicians #composer #strings #stringmusic #concert #nycmusicians #manhattan #nyc #femalemusicians #ontour #livingcomposers #femalecomposers #portland #oregon #clarinet #sundaymorning #coffee #pdx

Last Sunday was such a magical event. Thank you to @overlookquartet and James Shields, Principal Clarinet, from the Oregon Symphony! It was a wonderful performance. A great night of music, snacks and architecture. A huge shout out to all those who attended! If you missed last weekends concert, don’t worry. We plan to have more musical events at the Gordon House, so keep an eye out.