Great analogy with the vocal quartet.
I just had a string trio (wanted a quartet, but settled for this) to bring back memories of my brother who operator a lunch venue for the homeless. He always had a string quartet playing.
It was a great way to have him present at a birthday party that my children threw for me.
Regarding the above article, I think it might have drawn more accepting attention had he chosen the word "Good" instead of "Poor" for the title. More encouraging.
A good audience doesn't make the message a good one, does it? It just results in a happier, more fruitful experience, eh? That's the lesson I take away from this essay.