Chamber Music Quartet
Formed in Mexico in 1981, The Cuarteto Latinoamericano is an internationally recognized string quartet which was quartet-in-residence at Carnegie Mellon University from 1987 to 2008. Quartets differ from office and factory work groups in several interesting aspects: they produce music, not goods or services, their customer base (the public) is always changing, and they spend most of their time practicing rather than performing. At the time of interview, the Cuarteto Latinoamericano had played together for more than 15 years, and they are still performing together to this day. The quartet provides a great example of how to work together long term at sustained high levels of quality.
The video is divided into the following sections: 1. Introduction, in which the Cuarteto talks of what it is like to work together. 2. Words to describe the group. 3. The meaning of effectiveness. 4. Relationship between practice and performance. 5. Factors leading to effectiveness 6. Dynamics of introducing a guest performer.
See also the interview of another quartet, the Huqin Quartet, and videos illustrating other types of work groups: Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Crew: Rowing in an Eight.