LOS ANGELES -- The Music Guild, now in its 63rd year of presenting the best in chamber music, has scheduled three concerts in March by the Avalon String Quartet. The group, called "one of the most exciting young string quartets in America" by the Washington Post, will perform works by Schubert, Janacek and Beethoven at the Geffen Playhouse (March 3), Cal State Long Beach (March 4) and Cal State Northridge (March 5).

Formed in 1995 at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Quartet made its Carnegie Hall debut in 200, after which it took up residency at Juilliard. Presently the quartet is on the permanent staff of Indiana University at South Bend. Its members are Blaise Magniere (violin), Marie Wang (violin), Anthony Devroye (viola) and Cheng-Hou Lee (cello).

In May the RTE Vanbrugh String Quartet will perform works by Beethoven, Janacek and Schubert at the Music Guild's three venues.

Also coming up in May is the resumption of the Music Guild's popular COFFEE, COOKIES & CONCERTS series at 11960 Sunset Blvd. The summer soirees take place on Sunday afternoons at 3 pm, preceded by complimentary coffee, cakes, cookies, cheese, strawberries and whipped cream (served from 2.30-3 pm and at intermission). Scheduled are:

Levy-Lysy-Martin Piano Trio (May 18); Levin-Leonard-Huh Piano Trio (June 1); Rossetti Piano Quartet (June 22); La Catrina String Quartet (July 13).

For tickets and information call 323-954-0404 or visit themusicguild.org