Prior to 1995,the ‘Starlight String Quartet’ was known as the ‘Jascha String Quartet’.In the early 1990s,renowned orchestra conductors Vladimir Verbitsky and Voltan Kojian  made comments on the quartets versatility and remarkable and appealing performances – not only in the concert hall but everywhere!(Kojian having heard us performing at the airport at 6 am one morning while he was connecting flights). The name change came about when the groups original founding member and leader , J D Fennell , secured a marketing  and distribution deal with international record label BMG (now Sony / BMG). Management at the time were certain that the name change would  be beneficial in terms of a broader appeal and increased album sales.Of course,as the title suggests ,there is the implication of romance and for sure, ‘romantic music’ features prominently in our repertoire.The ‘Starlight Strings’ have sold more albums in New Zealand than any other string quartet.Only a few super star international classical musicians have outsold us.Without doubt, ‘Starlight Strings’ is well established as the most popular classical  and easy listening ensemble in terms of high quality entertainment value.Our group also maintains it’s reputation for superb virtuoso concert performances.We are all full time professional musicians with many years of  international performance experience  .The following is a chronology of  highlights in the ‘Starlight Strings’ performance schedule over the years:

• 1990 Quartet was formed . .. ‘discovered’ performing in a shopping arcade and invited to perform during the opening celebrations for the Aotea Centre during that year.Officially,the first string quartet to perform at the Aotea Centre.Regular guest artists at Aotea Centre between 1990 – 1997 for festivals, lunchtime and early evening recitals.
  
  
• 1991 Performed three concert programmes during the ‘200 years of Mozart’ concert celebrations.Brilliant critical acclaim from management and audience…
  
  
• 1991/1992 Collaboration with NZ Opera productions ‘Die Fleidermaus’  and ‘Marriage of Figaro’
  
  
• 1992,1993,1994 Featured artists  at ANZ Wine and Food Festival , Ellerslie
  
  
• 1993  ‘Nobilo Wines’ concert series at the Maritime Museum,Viaduct Basin
  
  
• 1992 – 1998 Featured artists in ‘People in Parks’ concert series for Auckland City Council.
  
  
• 1993 A capacity crowd during our performance as support act for rock and popular artist ‘Meatloaf’ in October
  
  
• 1995 April/May Our first album ‘Romantic Strings’ achieves gold album status reaching No. 7 in the charts.Nationwide promotional tour.This CD was presented at an international classical music conference in Greece(BMG)
  
  
• 1995 Performance at luncheon banquets for Queen Elizabeth II and Commonwealth Heads of State during C.H.O.G.M. in Auckland
  
  
• 1996 Nomination as a finalist for the album ‘Romantic Strings’ at the NZ Music Awards
  
  
• 1997 Performance with Stephane Grapelli ,legendary jazz violinist, during his final NZ tour
  
  
• 1997 Feb Featured guest artists in Auckland Zoo summer matinee concert
  
  
• 1998 May  Command performance for the King  of Tonga
  
  
• 1998 April / 1999 May TV appearances on ‘Good Morning’ TV show
  
  
• 1999 German Chancellor Gerhardt Shroeder Auckland visit
  
  
• 1999 May 2nd album released ‘Romancing the Strings’
  
  
• 1999 / 2000 Americas cup Viaduct basin entertainment
  
  
• 1999 – current…regular performances on cruise ships including ‘ Legends of the Sea ‘ , ‘Silver Cloud’ , ‘The World’
  
  
• 2000 Feb ‘Romancing the Strings’ programme at Auckland Zoo with 1,200 plus audience
  
  
• 2000 Oct  Hilton Auckland  opening celebrations
  
  
• 2002 March/April Americas Cup entertainment Viaduct Basin
  
  
• 2003 March performance at Devonport Festival
  
  
• 2005 Feb State luncheon/welcome with John Howard Prime Minister of Australia and Helen Clark Prime Minister of New Zealand in attendance
  
  
• 2005 State dinner for President Pervez Musharif of Pakistan
  
  
• 1990-2006 Performances for six New Zealand Prime Ministers (former and current)
  
  
• numerous private celebrations,weddings, wine and food festivals , VIP and corporate functions over 15  years.At  June 1st 2006, 1,383 quartet performances and 350  trio performances.
  
  
• Television and radio commercials.
  
  
• John Fennell and Artur Grabczewski (violins) appear in the orchestra scene of the movie blockbuster ‘KING KONG’
  
  
• Irina Andreeva (violin/viola) has appeared on  TV and performs regularly as a soloist