Two Devils Lake Mmen, now professional musicians, making their mark as Beo

Two former Devils Lake residents, Jason (violin) and Sean Neukom (viola) with Andrew Giordano (violin) and Ryan Ash (cello) make up the Beo String Quartet. This unique musical group has been making its mark in the music business for quite a while, now, and continues to do so through an authentic and creative focus on their music and the story it helps them tell.

An opportunity to see this group perform is coming Sunday, November 17 at 2 p.m. for the North Dakota Museum of Art’s Myra Foundation Concerts in the Galleries series for 2024-25. The Museum is located in the renovated former women’s gymnasium on the UND campus.

About the Series:

“Shortly after the Museum opened in the current building, it was discovered that the expansive galleries were glorious for chamber music. Subsequently, the Museum Concert Series was born, and musicians from around the world were invited to perform against the backdrop of contemporary art. This Sunday afternoon tradition has continued for over thirty years and with the support of the community will thrive for generations to come.”

“Music — or Art, in any form — takes us down paths we’ve never been, helps us to see worlds we’ve yet to see, and leads us to those worlds…if we are willing to take the trip.” (Quotes taken from promotional materials provided by the Museum)

Tickets:

Tickets are available at the door, in advance online, or by calling (701) 777-4195.

Tickets: $35 per concert, Member tickets: $30 per concert, Student and Military tickets: $10 per concert, Children 12 and under: Free

If you’re a member of a local band or orchestra, they waive the ticket fee for all youth performers.

The Devils Lake connection

The Neukom brothers’ father is Richard Neukom, retired director for the Devils Lake Schools Strings Program, their mother was the late Maricarmen Neukom who taught music in the Devils Lake school systems, both private and public. All the Neukoms spent time as members of the Devils Lake Community Orchestra, as well.

They named their string quartet “Beo” – a term in Latin that means “to gladden, or to make happy.”

Brian from the Concerts in the Gallery series stated that Beo String Quartet is becoming “quite the big deal in their field, both nationally and internationally.” However, when asked about this, Sean and Jason were quick to credit their education and years of conscentrated experience and discipline.

Sean Neukom writes, “Our goal, as Beo, is to put on concerts that focus on the storytelling aspect of music. Sometimes this is found in the context of a single work. Other times, the story connects the otherwise disparate works throughout a concert. At times the connective narratives are literal—they’ve been worked into the piece by the composer—and other times it’s merely suggested. What comes from the focus on the storytelling is two things: first, the concert has an arc, from start to finish; second, it allows us to very naturally program works from any era removed from the typecast nature of genre like “classical” or “contemporary.” There’s simply too much great music, old and new, to limit programming because of perceived genres.”

“Jason and I feel very grateful for growing up in ND when we did. The state’s orchestra programs were stellar, thanks to the teachers, and were very communicative from city to city. There was a state-wide orchestra ‘family.’ We both attended Minot State University to study violin with Jon Rumney. There we developed life long friendships with peers and teachers. Jon, as well as the Anderson’s (Erik and Diana) still teach at MSU and we’re thrilled to get to teach and perform beside them, as Beo, every summer during our residency with Dakota Chamber Music. Peers of ours, from the MSU era, have gone on to perform professionally with the Dayton Philharmonic, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Utah Symphony, and others.”

“Growing up in Devils Lake, Jason and I didn’t realize how peculiar it was to play in a family string quartet from ages 6 and 7 onwards. We just assumed everyone did this! During our childhood in Devils Lake, we were surrounded by a flourishing local cultural scene: the Devils Lake Community Orchestra, at least two full church choirs, the Elks band, a men’s chorus, and, of course, the DLPS orchestra program headed by our dad. Our dad’s programs have no doubt shaped our approach to both programming and audience engagement as Beo. He was always sure to pull the audience into the work; never too lecture-y, but still informative and setting them up for what they were about to hear, and always with a touch of humor.”

“From growing up in DL, to studying at MSU, to spending twenty years in the music industry, it’s a real pleasure to head to Grand Forks in November as Beo. The quartet was formed with the goal of playing music alongside people who care deeply about each other and share a commitment to constantly expanding their understanding of music. The program Beo is bringing to Grand Forks perfectly captures all of these values. Audience members will witness four individuals, united as one quartet, playing together not out of obligation, but by choice—pushing their musical boundaries with every note. The program reflects music that speaks to listeners today, from both contemporary and historical composers, and for Beo, it’s not just a performance, but a homecoming to a state where at least two of their musical journeys began.”

What others have said about Beo

“The eclectic and highly polished Beo String Quartet, founded in 2015, has created a niche for itself as a daring, genre-defying ensemble. Rigorously trained in the classical tradition, violinists Jason Neukom and Andrew Giordano, violist Sean Neukom, and cellist Ryan Ash also know their way around contemporary expression, including the use of electronics, live sound processing, and spatial audio manipulation. Their performances of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, or Shostakovich have been compared to those of the best among 21st century international string quartets.”

“With 65 world premieres to its credit and 150 concert works played throughout the United States, South America, and Europe, the iconoclastic Beo String Quartet does what it loves best: playing classical repertoire, contemporary, rock, and experimental music. From the Latin “to make happy,” Beo started out as a lark. Two Mexican-American brothers, Jason Neukom and Sean Neukom, decided to record a song entitled “Happy, Happy,” composed by Sean, but for that they would need two more players. And so in 2015 the Beo String Quartet was formed. Touring the world, composing, performing, recording, teaching, and having fun, Beo has since then founded Beo Publishing, built a recording studio, and started its own recording label, NeuKraft Records.” (Quotes taken from promotional materials provided by the Museum)