Reflection...

All-Occasions String Quartet (1999-2001)



Strings of Elegance (2002-Current)

As 2008 comes to a close, I wanted to take time to reflect on the string quartet journey that has made Strings of Elegance what it is today. It all started at Utah State University where All-Occasions String Quartet was formed. Members of this group, in picture order above, were Elizabeth McFadden, Jenny Melville, Cathy Marlor (that's me on the couch), and Jennifer Cosman. We had so much fun playing at weddings from 1999-2001 that after graduation and moving away for a short while, I decided to form a new quartet in Davis County where I am originally from. This is when Strings of Elegance was established in February of 2002 during the heart of the SLC Winter Olympic Games. Our first group picture was taken in the snow. Our first members were, in picture order, Michelle Brown, Rebekah Butler, Shannon Talbot, and Cathy Marlor (that's me kneeling down). Later that year, Shannon became very busy with all her family responsibilities so she had to leave us. To take her place was Thalia Parmley, our fabulous young cellist who has been with us ever since.

Posted by Cathy Marlor

Reflection Continued...

Rebekah Butler, Cathy Marlor, Thalia Parmley, Michelle Brown

Strings of Elegance was comprised of these four for several years. We had so many fun experiences including this trip that we took to Vernal, UT to play for a wedding there. On the way, we stopped in Heber to get some icecream. After the wedding we wanted to rehearse some Shostakovich for our summer concert but the hotel room wasn't big enough so we are now also known as the grocery store parking lot string quartet.

Rebekah (my little sis) decided to go away for college so our summer concert ended up being a farewell to her as she went off to persue her violin performance degree from the University of Arizona. When she becomes a world famous musician we keep reminding her that she got her big start with us!!!

We miss you Bekah Butler!

Posted by: Cathy Butler Marlor

Reflection Continued Further...

Cathy Marlor, Michelle Brown, Thalia Parmley, Anna Mitchel

Anna joined us after Rebekah left and she stuck around for a few years. Whenever we play up at Park City Mountain Resort, we ride up the mountain in a truck or on the ski-lift and play in a beautiful mountain spot, perfect for scenic ceremonies. Afterward, we like to ride the Alpine slide back down. It is so much fun - especially in concert black! Sometimes when we are really lucky we get invited to eat fancy food after we play and we love being wined and dined. This particular dining picture was taken at LaCaille after we played for a charity event there. In addition to the Alpine slide and fancy dinners, we also had the opportunity to host a big Strings of Elegance party since one of our clients owned resort property that we got a free-night's stay in. But all good things eventually change and we lost Anna in the spring of 2007 when she decided to go on an LDS mission. It was a quick transition and we were sad to lose her but happy for the new direction her life was taking. Our last gig with her was up at Snow Basin (see picture below).






Meili Bell took over for Anna. She has proven to be a great asset to our quartet both as a musician and a savvy business woman. So this is our group now and I think we are all caught up to speed as we began our blog at the beginning of 2008. The final picture in this post is of a group dinner we had at my house with all of our husbands. We thank them for all of the support they give us as we go all over the state playing for all sorts of events. We also want to thank our clients for giving us the wonderful opportunities. Thank you!

Posted by Cathy Marlor