Seattle Weekly Magazine Names The Young Eight String Octet "Best New Classical Ensemble" - Group Featured in Best of Seattle 2005 Issue of Magazine Seattle Weekly Magazine has named The Young Eight String Octet "Best New Classical Ensemble" as part of their Best of Seattle 2005 Issue. The magazine writes, "The Eight's very launching is an act of daring..." and refers to the group's "charismatic, photogenic players." The article also contains some personal "Best of Seattle" picks from Seattle native and group director Quinton I. Morris. The Young 8 recently presented a very successful series of concerts throughout the Seattle area as part of their 2005 Summer tour. You can read the complete article online at http://www.seattleweekly.com/features/0531/050803_bestof_arts_classical.php. The Young Eight, with violinists Mariana Green-Hill, Kenneth L. Jarvis, John H. Littlejohn and Quinton I. Morris, violists Christopher Jenkins and Dawn Michelle Smith and cellists Ryan Murphy and Tahirah Whittington has established itself as one of the next generation's most dynamic and energetic chamber ensembles, presenting performances in New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Austin. Founded in 2002 at the North Carolina School of the Arts by director Quinton I. Morris, this critically acclaimed African-American octet is dedicated to exposing various communities to the arts through classical music and has been recognized for their dedication to children, music and education. Members received their music education from The Boston Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, Indiana University, The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music, New England Conservatory of Music and Peabody Conservatory of Music. The Young Eight has served as String Octet in Residence at the North Carolina School of the Arts and is currently in residence at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas (where they present a String Seminar for young musicians) and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan. Other residency programs have included the Harlem School of the Arts, Community Music Works, First Philadelphia Charter School for Literacy, and Winston-Salem State University. Learn more about their many program initiatives at http://www.theyoungeight.com. For press inquiries and more information about The Young Eight, please contact Jeffrey James Arts Consulting at 516-797-9166 or [log in to unmask] Jeffrey James Arts Consulting Tel/Fax: 516-797-9166 Website: http://www.jamesarts.com