When the DaPonte String Quartet moved to Maine from Philadelphia 20 years ago, they made it part of their mission to bring music to the rural areas of the state. An equally important part of their mission is to help educate a new generation of school children and music fans.

For many years, they have been bringing free classical performances and standards-based classroom instruction to rural elementary schools. Many of these schools have very limited funds to provide arts education. Programs are presented at no cost to the schools or parents.

The Quartet will be visiting the Center for Teaching and Learning in Edgecomb on March 8, the South Elementary School in Rockland on March 14, and the Damariscotta Montessori School on March 19 (where violinist Lydia Forbes’s children are students.)

This year’s in-school program is made possible by a grant from the Simmons Foundation. For more information, call 207-529-4555 or visit www.daponte.org/.