Sonic Sanctuary

House of Scordatura Brings Morton Feldman’s Six Hour Masterpiece to The Old Church on Election Day — a continuous, come-and-go performance of String Quartet No. 2 benefiting the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition

Sonic Sanctuary will be performed in full by the House of Scordatura String Quartet. Feldman’s String Quartet No. 2 (1983) is widely regarded as a modern minimalist masterpiece: contemplative, meditative, and breathtaking in its sense of timelessness.

Audience members are welcome to come and go as they need, for ten minutes or the full six hours. There is no intermission, no fixed seating, and no correct way to attend. All proceeds from Sonic Sanctuary benefit PIRC, whose work supporting immigrant communities in the Portland area continues regardless of the day’s outcome.

“This is what we do as artists: we take something as ordinary as sound and turn it into a place where people can breathe. Sonic Sanctuary exists because art isn’t separate from community care; it is community care. On a day when so much is asking for people’s stress and attention, we wanted to give them somewhere quiet instead. That’s the job: not to add noise to the world, but to make room in it.”
   – Ron Blessinger, Executive Director and Violinist, House of Scordatura

“We believe this event will provide a powerful way to advance our common cause, raise critical funds for immigrant rights, and draw positive press and public attention at this pivotal moment.”
   – Quetzal Brock-Rivero, Resource Center Manager, Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition

Event Details

What: Sonic Sanctuary, a six-hour performance of Morton Feldman’s String Quartet No. 2, presented by House of Scordatura and performed by the House of Scordatura String Quartet

Benefiting: The Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC)

When: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Where: The Old Church, 1422 SW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97201

Format: Continuous performance, open seating, come-and-go

Tickets: $25 suggested donation for admission

Ensemble:
    Ron Blessinger, violin
    Shintaro Taneda, violin
    Maia Hoffman, viola
    Marilyn de Oliveira, cello