When a group of friends who play stringed instruments gathers, it's only a matter of time before someone pulls out a book of string quartets, and an afternoon or evening of musical enjoyment is underway.

The Breckenridge Music Festival and Summit Music and Arts welcomes newly appointed co-concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and BMF Concertmaster Nathan Olson to this Sunday's concert, String Quartet. Olson brings guest cellist Ian Jones to join violinist Meghan Jones and viola player Matthew Carrington.

“The BMF is really excited to bring this talented group not only because they are world-class musicians, but also great friends,” said Olivia Grover-Hill, director of marketing for the festival. “There is a very special and unique synergy that occurs between musicians when they are long-time friends and colleagues.”

Olson said three of the four artists regularly play together in Breckenridge during the summer, and the fourth is a friend of his from music school. Because all of the players hail from different locations, Olson said this is the first time the group has rehearsed together as a whole.

“It requires a lot of work to blend our sounds together and play together as one,” Olson said.

The evening's program will include the Franz Josef Haydn's String Quartet Op. 77 No. 1 in G Major, Ravel's only String Quartet, a masterpiece produced when he was a student, and Puccini's intimate little gem titled “Chrisantemi (Chrysanthemums).”

Olson said Haydn's music was picked for the program because he's the “father of the string quartet.” He started the genre during the 18th century, and influenced other famous musicians, like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Music in the Schools

While in Breckenridge, the quartet has been participating in the Music in the Schools program. They taught two master classes to students at both Summit High School and Summit Middle School this past week. At the high school, students shared their compositions, listened to the quartet play and asked questions of the musicians. At the middle school, the group helped the students prepare for an upcoming concert.

“I certainly remember artists coming to my school when I was younger, and it always made a big impression on me,” Olson said. “Hopefully we will be able to inspire the kids to pursue music as a career, or if not, at least keep classical music in their lives as a beloved hobby and interest.”

More info:

What: String Quartet concert

When: 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 12

Where: Lord of the Mountains Church, Dillon

Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Children and students are free.

To purchase tickets or for more information, go to www.lordofthemountains.org