Chris Marchant. Photo by Scott Henrichsen
Chris Marchant of Well-Strung
The awesome singing string quartet Well-Strung, which played three sold-out performances last year at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center and created a huge buzz and cheering word of mouth, is coming back to town!
This time, owing to the raves of those who saw the group last year, they have been booked into the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center with a brand new show, so everyone who wants a ticket will have the opportunity to see this unique, exciting and very hot group of musicians. Their one-night only performance will be on Friday, September 26 at 9 p.m.
According to the Huffington Post, “The four boys of ‘Well-Strung: The Singing String Quartet’ know their chiseled torsos and matinee idol faces make them seem like an inspired novelty act.”
But the group, currently playing to sold out houses in P-Town on Cape Cod, is a unique boy band called the “hottest thing with a bow since Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games” by the New York Daily News. The group features a stunning combo of classical musicians who sing and put their own stamp on music from Mozart to Lady Gaga.
Second violinist for the group, Chris Marchant grew up in Ohio loving music. He says it kept him busy with orchestra and choir throughout school and led him to Malone College where he received his BA in Music Ministry. Following that, he moved to NYC to pursue work in musical theatre. In addition to being a fine musician he is an actor/singer as well. His favorite productions include national tours of Sweeney Todd, Spring Awakening, Pump Boys and Dinettes, and Naked Boys Singing.
And although Marchant did appear in Naked Boys Singing, an off-Broadway hit, he says he has lost track of the number of times the all-male string quartet turned down offers to perform nude during their 2012 summer stint in Provincetown. “One of our aims is to blur the line between high and low art,” he says.
So in interviewing our fourth member of the troupe, we ask Chris Marchant:
When did you begin your affair with strings?
When I was nine, I played tee-ball. I was terrrrrrrrible. So I told my parents I wanted to quit. My mom said I could quit if I picked up an instrument. I was irritated at first, but I picked violin. I loved it as soon as I picked it up.
What are some of the best reactions you’ve seen to your performances?
I think our shows have pretty widespread appeal, which is great; people tend to really enjoy them, overall. But you can tell when people really get what we are trying to do and appreciate it. My favorite reactions are when pop music fans learn to appreciate classical, and vice versa.
How does it feel to be a classical/pop star?
Being in Well-Strung has been a tremendous opportunity. The music field is pretty saturated with talent so it’s amazing to get any kind of recognition for our work at all. I think I love that we are doing something that nobody else is. It makes me feel purposeful and inspired.
What’s the one thing you want people to know about Well-Strung?
We are so hungry to work, learn, and grow. We love working with other artists on different entertainment projects whether that involves music, theatre, film, etc.
What would fans be most surprised to learn about you in “real life”?
I love games. Board, card, strategy, word, number. When I was little I spent a half hour practicing how to roll dice because I thought I’d get better at it. So I like games, but maybe I am not that smart.
You come from different parts of the country. Did any interesting communication problems or taste differences result from that?
We are definitely very different from one another. I’m not sure if geography is the cause. We have pretty different playing styles and our musical tastes and sensibilities are all across the board. It’s one of the things I love most about us, and also one of the most challenging.
Have there been any pieces of music any of you really did not want to include in the show or tunes that some of you really liked but one or more of you hated?
We definitely have different opinions on what content should go into the show. We make every effort to come to like mindedness. But we definitely all have our favorite songs to do and the ones that we don’t look forward to. During our first summer, one number was added that I was not on board with. I made a big fuss about it haha; but the song stayed in the show because everyone else was in favor of it.
Any advice for young musicians?
Learn how to take what people teach you about music and make it your own. Whether you want to make it your living or not, you have to love it. Don’t be afraid to go beyond what other people tell you music should be.
If you could add one person to your group, who would be your dream addition?
If we were having a guest string player at a concert, I think Chris Thile on mandolin would be brilliant. As an artist overall, I think P!nk would be really cool to work with.
Boxers or briefs?
Briefs or nothin’.