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
The Old Church Concert Hall is donating the performance space for Sonic Sanctuary as part of its commitment to supporting music, art, and community in Portland.
“TOC has always been more than a stage. We believe a cultural institution has a responsibility to make room for its community, not only for celebration, but for reflection, care, and action. On a day that can carry so much uncertainty, House of Scordatura is creating a place to gather and breathe while directly supporting our immigrant neighbors. Donating our hall is one way we can stand behind both the artists doing this work and the community they are doing it for.”
– Constance Bracewell, Executive Director, The Old Church Concert Hall
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
Price: Free admission • $25 suggested donation to PIRC, at the door or in advance
Ensemble:
Ron Blessinger, violin
Shintaro Taneda, violin
Maia Hoffman, viola
Marilyn de Oliveira, cello