Our beginning came in the simplest of ways. Out of the blue, a voice on the telephone queried, "Are you able to put together an ensemble of 3 violins, bass and piano for a new hotel, comprised of all women, for a four hour engagement in the lobby six days a week?". The answer, "Sure!" was swift and unhesitating. With that we were on our way. We had not a single sheet of music, had not had a minute of rehearsal, no players and no concept of what we would play. But it was an opportunity; that was all I needed to know.

When the contract arrived, I read the name of the ensemble on the appropriate line. "The Crystal Strings" was recorded there and I signed. We were playing at the Crystal City Hyatt in Virginia, hence the name. We remained there for almost four years. I was fortunate to have been handed the name of the company. In all these years, I never thought of a better one for us!

I would later discover that a harpist friend who was working for the Hyatt at the time had given my name as a reference. I owe him profound thanks and never lost sight of his vote of confidence. My benefactor was Mr. Larry Odom, a true musical genius and a kind, gentle man.

To this day, I regard our inception as nothing short of a life-changing miracle.

The next two weeks were a blur of activity, finding people who were up for the challenge, gathering clothes from my closet, shopping for appropriate costumes in all sorts of sizes and colors, constructing a play list and practicing intensely.

A call to Bob Walters, arranger for the United States Air Force Band, produced far more than I ever could have expected. Within a matter of days, he dropped 5 thick volumes of music on the table. Obviously, there had been no sleep for him for quite awhile as he labored to put the books together. They contained over a hundred selections, including published repertoire and many of his high quality arrangements. This was a brilliant compilation, never again equaled.

The concept, to marry classical, Broadway, popular, standards, jazz and folk within a single engagement, was our unique twist. I remember establishing that premise on the notion that any audience would include people who liked all types of music. To stick to just one genre was unnecessarily limiting. The idea worked. Twenty-nine years and thousands of performances later, we still receive accolades for our sound.

We were given another marvelous opportunity, to play at the Vista Hotel in Washington, DC. Our quintet stood on a balcony in the lobby, filling the vast space with exquisite music. Many guests would relax in the lounge, lingering for hours as they enjoyed Strauss, Mozart and Cole Porter, among other composers. That engagement continued for almost five years. The hotel itself was a jewel and the music provided European sophistication. It was an honor to be there.

We also were a part of the hospitality offerings at the Henley Park Hotel in Washington, DC. For twelve years, a violinist and bass player entertained the brunch customers. Lloyd McKinney and Michael Faulkner were a beloved fixture every Sunday morning, beguiling those attending with their fine music, pleasantries and wit.

Every week, new projects arrive to be handled with care. Weddings, corporate functions, Embassy parties, celebrity functions, are all a part of the performing arts calendar here in Washington.

To provide "concert hall quality" at the budget level where the customer is comfortable has been our credo.

Receiving that initial phone call and being so young and inexperienced, I never could have imagined the depth of the pursuit that lay ahead and the glorious rewards that would come in abundance.

I could never have done it without the dedication and brilliant, consistent performances of the talented musicians who gave their all. I just answered the phone! They made the music.

Ours is a wonderful story, may it continue on for more decades to come.

Stephanie M. Myers
Founder