Carpe Diem String Quartet - Feb. 25, 2012 , 8 p.m.

Carpe Diem String Quartet, in residence at Ohio Wesleyan University, is hard to categorize. Its members think of themselves as a “classical quartet that rocks.” They revel in blurring the lines between genres and experimenting with different ways of engaging an audience.

But don’t get the wrong idea. Violinists Chas Wetherbee and Jon Ewing, violist Korine Fujiwara, and cellist Kristin Ostling are perfectly at home performing the likes of Mozart, Debussy, and Shostakovich. Among their recordings for Naxos is a series devoted to the quartets of Sergey Taneyev, the first of which garnered several Grammy nominations. Yet the group also embraces gypsy, tango, folk, pop, rock, and jazz-inspired music, as evidenced by its critically well-received collaborations with banjoist Graeme Boone, Latin Grammy winner Raúl Juarena, and guitarist/songwriter Willy Porter.

Given its eclectic, “seize the day” approach to music-making, the Carpe Diem String Quartet’s concert in Lewes promises to be a one-of-a-kind event. Buy Tickets Now.

For more information, visit their website.

Spanish Brass - March 24, 2012 , 8 p.m.

If any ensemble deserves an encore performance at Coastal Concerts, it’s the wildly popular Spanish Brass. The quintet wowed the audience in 2008 with an astounding display of versatility and dynamism in a vibrant program spanning the centuries and offering a little something for every taste, including jazz buffs.

Formed in 1989, Spanish Brass took First Prize in the 1996 Narbonne International Brass Quintet Competition in France, the most prestigious event of its kind. Since then the Valencia-based group has steadily risen to preeminence among brass ensembles with a collection of highly regarded CDs to its credit. The members of Spanish Brass also stand at the forefront of international music education, giving courses and master classes wherever their travels take them.

Noted trombonist Philip Jones says, “To listen to a performance of Spanish Brass...is to experience a blend of Latin temperament, brilliant technique and outstanding musicality.” Fellow trombonist Christian Lindberg agrees: “I cannot think of a better brass quintet in the whole world.” Buy Tickets Now.

For more information, visit their website.