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- Imani Winds: Black and Brown
Imani Winds: Black and Brown
LIVE PERFORMANCE: February 23, 2023, at 7:30PM
Purchase your tickets TODAY!
Image courtesy of Imani Winds.
"Imani's performance was brilliant - intense, dynamic, and wildly colorful."
- James McQuillen, Oregon Live
(L to R) Kevin Newton, Monica Ellis, Brandon Patrick George, Toyin Spellman-Diaz, Mark Dover
Imani Winds Members | Brandon Patrick George (flute), Toyin Spellman-Diaz (oboe), Mark Dover (clarinet), Kevin Newton (French horn), Monica Ellis (bassoon)
Experience the twice Grammy-nominated wind quintet Imani Winds on stage at WCU’s Bardo Arts Center. The ensemble presents their show Black and Brown, an entire program celebrating composers of color such as Wayne Shorter, Paquito D’Rivera, and Valerie Coleman. Their music embraces traditional chamber music repertoire, and as a 21st-century group, Imani Winds is devoutly committed to expanding the wind quintet repertoire by commissioning music from new voices that reflect historical events and the times in which we currently live. This public performance is co-sponsored by the WCU School of Music.
We look forward to seeing you at Imani Winds: Black and Brown on Thursday,
February 23, 2023, at 7:30pm, with doors opening at 7:00pm.
Celebrating over 20 years of music making, the twice Grammy-nominated Imani Winds has led both a revolution and the evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations, and outreach endeavors that have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
The ensemble’s playlist embraces traditional chamber music repertoire, and as a 21st-century group, Imani Winds is devoutly committed to expanding the wind quintet repertoire by commissioning music from new voices that reflect historical events and the times in which we currently live.
Present and future season performances include a Jessie Montgomery composition inspired by her greatgrandfather’s migration from the American south to the north; and, socially conscious music by Andy Akiho designed to be performed both on the concert stage and in front of immigrant detention centers throughout the country.
Imani Winds regularly performs in prominent international concert venues, including
Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Walt Disney Hall and the Kimmel
Center. Their touring schedule has taken them throughout the Asian continent, Brazil,
Australia, England, New Zealand and across Europe.
Their national and international presence includes performances at chamber music series
in Boston, New York, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Houston. Festival
performances include Chamber Music Northwest, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Ravinia
Festival, Chautauqua, Banff Centre, and Music from Angel Fire.
Imani Winds’ travels through the jazz world are highlighted by their association with saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter, woodwind artist and composer Paquito D’Rivera, and pianist and composer Jason Moran. Their ambitious project, “Josephine Baker: A Life of Le Jazz Hot!” featured chanteuse René Marie in performances that brought the house down in New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and St. Louis.
Imani Winds’ commitment to education runs deep. The group participates in residencies throughout the U.S., giving performances and master classes to thousands of students each year. Academic and institutional residencies include the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Duke University, University of Chicago, Curtis Institute of Music, University of Michigan, Da Camera of Houston and numerous others across the country.
The ensemble launched its annual Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival in 2010, bringing together young instrumentalists and composers from across North America and abroad for exploration and performance of the standard repertoire and newly composed chamber music. Festival participants also take part in workshops devoted to entrepreneurial and outreach opportunities, with the goal of creating the complete musician and global citizen.
Photo courtesy of Imani Winds.
Imani Winds' Residency at WCU
Dates: February 20 - 24, 2023
Location: WCU's Coulter Building Recital Hall
Join us as we learn from the ground-breaking Imani Winds through their residency at WCU, February 20 - 24, 2023. The following events are available to the public, and we want to see you there!
Monday, February 20, 2023, at 1:25pm - Imani Winds: Telling Our Story
Learn more about Imani Winds’ 20+ year artistic and entrepreneurial journey to becoming
role models as a primarily African American wind quintet. The ensemble’s playlist
embraces traditional chamber music repertoire, and as a 21st-century group, Imani
Winds is devoutly committed to expanding the wind quintet repertoire by commissioning
music from new voices that reflect historical events and the times in which we currently
live. This discussion is open to the public and co-sponsored by the WCU School of
Music and Bardo Arts Center.
Find out more information about this event by clicking the link.
Monday, February 20, 2023, at 4:00pm - Imani Winds: Telling Our Story
Learn more about Imani Winds’ 20+ year artistic and entrepreneurial journey to becoming
role models as a primarily African American wind quintet. The ensemble’s playlist
embraces traditional chamber music repertoire, and as a 21st-century group, Imani
Winds is devoutly committed to expanding the wind quintet repertoire by commissioning
music from new voices that reflect historical events and the times in which we currently
live. This discussion is open to the public and co-sponsored by the WCU School of
Music and Bardo Arts Center.
Find out more information about this event by clicking the link.
Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at 1:25pm - Imani Winds Masterclasses: Flute, Oboe,
Bassoon, Horn
Imani Winds members conduct masterclasses with performances by WCU Music Students.
Music students and others are welcome to attend these events co-sponsored by the WCU
School of Music and Bardo Arts Center.
- Flute Masterclass with Brandon Patrick George, Coulter Building, Room 357 - Choir Room
- Oboe Masterclass with Toyin Spellman-Diaz, Coulter Building, Room 375
- Clarinet (and Saxophone) Masterclass with Mark Dover, Coulter Building, Room 173 - Band Room
- Bassoon Masterclass with Monica Ellis, Coulter Building, Room 451 (limited seating)
- Horn Masterclass with Kevin Newton, Coulter Building, Recital Hall
Find out more information about this event by clicking the link.
Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 11:00am - Chamber Music 101 - Courtesy, Professionalism,
Respect
This presentation by the Imani Winds members of this prestigious ensemble schools
us how to work with other musicians in a chamber music setting. The Imani Winds have
expanded the wind quintet repertoire with their many exciting collaborations and commissions
and have entertained audiences worldwide for over a quarter of a century. The Imani
Winds serve as the faculty wind quintet at the Curtis Institute of Music, and the
Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival brings together young instrumentalists and composers
from across North America to New York City every summer. The WCU student wind quintet
will join the Imani Wind on stage for this presentation which is open to the public.
Find out more information about this event by clicking the link.
Discover more about Imani Winds by visiting their website. Find Imani Winds on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube.
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