A ptarmigan is a type of bird that thrives above timberline, or the tree line, in the Colorado Rocky Mountains all year long. Ptarmigan are hardy, adaptable, and resilient. They adjust to their surroundings and live in the Tundra no matter what season it is. In the summer, their plumage is dark brown with white spots. In the winter, their plumage turns to pure white, blending in with the deep winter snow.

We selected the name "Ptarmigan" String Quartet to associate our quartet with the Niwot Timberline Symphony where we are symphony musicians, and to symbolize our flexibilty and musical diversity in performing varied genres of music at all times of the year, under all kinds of conditions -- even weddings above 10,000 feet in the tundra -- just like the ptarmigan.

Ptarmigan String Quartet is truly a Quartet for all Seasons!