Media Credit: Photo Courtesy of Ken Karadin Jonathan Clarke, Tom Morley, Barbara Gabriel, and Andra Bohnet. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Photo by Ron Bessar Silverwood Quartet performs in Downtown Pensacola, Fla. [Click to enlarge]

Classic rock songs filled the air at Christ Church in downtown Pensacola on Sept. 18 for a Hurricane Katrina benefit concert by the Silverwood Quartet.  

            The quartet, consisting of flutist Andra Bohnet, cellist Barbara Gabriel and violinists Jonathan Clark and Tom Morley, had the opportunity to put their talents on display while helping those in need because of Hurricane Katrina. 

"You wish you could do something, and you feel so hopeless," Bohnet said.  "We can make music, and it can bring a lot of joy to people."

            The quartet, who often performs in Mobile, was a treat for locals in Pensacola.

Approximately 100 people attended the concert sponsored by Christ Church, not only to support the Silverwood Quartet, but also to donate money to the American Red Cross.

"We've been through (this) with Ivan, and we know how people came to help us," said Christ Church musician Kenneth Karadin.  "Anyone who can help with this disaster needs to do that."

The quartet added a classical music twist to rock songs on their new compact disc "The Classic Rock Album."

Songs such as "California Girls," "Born to Be Wild," "Stairway to Heaven" and "Satisfaction" were among the many featured by the artists that night. 

With each member having a diverse background in music, they were able to reach out to an audience of men, woman and children.    

            "There was something for everyone here, and the quality of each song was to be expected from a group of their caliber," said University of West Florida junior Craig Purnell.

The quartet wrapped up the night by performing "Roundabout" by Jon Anderson and Steve Howe, and the audience responded with a standing ovation.

 Although the quartet spent the night focusing on songs from their latest CD, they also play classical pieces by Bach, Mozart and Haydn, among others. 

Since the Silverwood Quartet's formation in 1996, they have released four CD's, and they had the opportunity to go to Japan during their 2000 cultural exchange tour.

  With many accomplishments to show in nine years, quartet member Clark says the best thing about being a member is getting to play and being able to trust that others will hit their part.

They have also been able to accomplish a lot separately by becoming educators of music and by each member having positions in several symphonies across the Gulf Coast.

            The quartet's love for music shines through in their accomplishments as well as their ability to want to help others after Hurricane Katrina.

            "We usually play music from our hearts, and not always for money," said Gabriel.  "It's good to support a cause."

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