STAMFORD — The Friends of Music of Stamford, NY 40th Anniversary Season opens on Sunday, April 19 with a 3 pm concert by Invoke Multistring Ensemble. In its American Voices program, Invoke takes listeners on a genre-defying journey through the past 100 years of American musical traditions. The nationally acclaimed quartet weaves classical, bluegrass, Appalachian fiddle tunes, jazz, and minimalism into a unique contemporary repertoire, featuring original works composed by and for the group. 

Invoke features Nick Montopoli (violin/banjo/vocals), Zach Matteson (violin/vocals), Karl Mitze (viola/mandolin/vocals), and Geoff Manyin (cello/vocals). In 2018, the Austin-based ensemble was named a winner of the 2018 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition in New York, NY, and received First Prize at the M-Prize International Chamber Arts competition in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In the years since, Invoke has been committed to championing diverse American voices through commissioning and highlighting new music. The group’s ongoing commissioning project, American Postcards, asks composers to pick a time and place in American history and tell its story through the group’s unique instrumental composition and style. 

This event is generously hosted by the First Presbyterian Church at 96 Main Street, Stamford, NY. Admission is by donation at the door; the suggested donation is $15 per person, $10 for seniors & students. There is no charge for those under age 13. Cash or check only; no reservations or advance sales. Visit https://friendsmusic.org for more information about this concert and the rest of the Friends of Music 2026 season.