Tonight marks the first of two Bermuda Festival performances at City Hall by a quartet of musicians from the Bermuda Menuhin Foundation plus local pianist Mandy Wong. Both events begin at 8 p.m.

Tonight?s programme includes ?Chaconne for Violin Sonata in D minor? by Bach, trans. F. Busconi; Borodin?s ?Quartet No. 2 in D Major?, and Mozart?s ?Quartet in G Minor, KV478?. Included in tomorrow night?s performance are two Brahms? Op. 10 Ballades: Nos. 1 and 2; ?Third Party? by Lee Hyla; and Mozart?s ?Quartet in G minor, KV478?.

The late celebrated violinist, Lord Menuhin, was among an outstanding list of artists who performed in the inaugural Bermuda Festival in 1975. As a result of that visit, he determined that Bermuda would be an ideal place situation for the establishment of a quartet of young, professional musicians to provide a schools? programme, and generally to enrich the cultural level of the Island.

With the Menuhin Foundation Act 1976 the organisation was duly established, and the London-based Heller Quartet arrived in August, 1976 in time for the new school year.

There was an immediate and enthusiastic response for a weekly programme of group tuition, with the teachers travelling from school to school. Over the years, there has been a vast outreach to young Bermudians whose lives have been enriched by the chance to study with some of the best educated and trained string musicians who have come to the Island under the auspices of the Foundation.

Three years ago the Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary with a students? concert featuring over 400 children, and continues to go from strength to strength.

Performing on behalf of the Foundation in this year?s Bermuda Festival are: Melanie O?Brien and Caroline Gledhill (violins), Ros Hanson (viola) and Alison Johnstone (cello).

Prior to arriving in Bermuda in 2000, enjoyed a varied freelance career in London, England, working with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra and the English National Ballet. She plays regularly with the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra, and led their performance of ?Scheherezade? last season.began studying the violin at age eight and quickly became involved in orchestras in her hometown of Leeds. At the University of Manchester she studied with Roland Birks of the Lindsay String Quartet, and played in numerous ensembles, including the University of Manchester Sinfonietta, which she led on a tour to Tuscany in 2000. She studied performance and teaching at the Royal Northern College of Music., daughter of composer Robert Hanson, began playing the viola at age 15 when she discovered her father?s old instrument at the back of his study, and which she still plays today. Ms Hanson studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, and taught and freelanced throughout the northwest of England prior to arriving here three years ago. She performs regularly with fellow Menuhin Foundation members with the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra, and conducts the Menuhin Youth Orchestra. Her most recent performance was during the Bermuda School of Music?s ?Some Enchanted Evening? concert, when she performed with Dr. Karol-Sue Reddington during the Bermuda premi?re of Rebecca Clark?s ?Sonata for Viola and Piano?.is a graduate of the London College of Music, where she was awarded the W.S. Webber Performance Medal. She played with the British Youth Symphony Orchestra and was principal cellist with the London Repertoire Orchestra. She was teacher-in-charge of the Menuhin Foundation here for seven years, and has performed in numerous concerts as soloist, ensemble and orchestral player. She played the solo cello part in Elgar?s Cello Concerto conducted by Lord Menuhin. Miss Johnstone has organised a string workshop for local string players with the English Chamber Orchestra.

Pianist needs no introduction to local audiences, having performed in several concerts here. In 2002 she was guest soloist with the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra, and in May this year will again appear under the baton of Mrs. Marjorie Pettit at her annual Heritage concert for a performance of Beethoven?s Third Piano Concerto.

Miss Wong began studying piano at age four. In 2001 she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Wellesley College, Boston. Last year she gained her Master of Music degree with honours from the New England Conservatory (NEC), where she majored in piano performance. Currently, she is enrolled in the performance-intensive Graduate Diploma programme at NEC.