Description
Praised by the New York Times for its "conviction, authority, and finesse," the Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble harnesses the collaborative spirit of chamber music to reach beyond the traditionally-perceived limits of classical music. The ensemble's artistic, educational, and civic programs engage theater groups, video game designers, corporate innovators, and folk bands to share stories as diverse as the communities it serves. The ensemble has released two critically acclaimed albums on Cedille Records, and has produced fully interactive music and gaming experiences including Journey LIVE and Undertale LIVE.
Fifth House reaches 17,000 people per year through arts-integrated educational programs in K-12 schools and social service settings serving people transitioning from homelessness or incarceration. An established partner and resource to the nation's top music schools and conservatories, Fifth House launches the careers of emerging artists through entrepreneurship residencies and training programs, including those at Yale College, Eastman School of Music, New England Conservatory, Indiana University, Northwestern University, DePaul University, the Colburn School, and through its summer festival, Fresh Inc. The ensemble's recent creative partnerships with the San Francisco Opera, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and The Cleveland Orchestra have resulted in bold new directions in emerging artist training and community-focused work.
Work Sample
https://www.fifth-house.com/audio-video - The media page on our website contains work samples that span 5HE's performance projects, including collaborations with Grammy-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux, Grammy-winning Tuvan throat singers Alash, and a live, interactive version of Austin Wintory's Grammy-nominated video game score for Journey. Videos range from 2-8 minutes.
The media page on the Fifth House website contains video work samples from the ensemble's most adventurous artistic work. Chaghatai, recorded on location in Tuva, is a cornerstone of the ensemble's 2-year cultural exchange with Alash. Journey LIVE is a fully-interactive version of Austin Wintory's Grammy-nominated video game score. Tracks from the ensemble's collaboration with Henhouse Prowlers are part of 5HE's Voices from the Dust Bowl project, which engaged workers' rights groups nationwide. For more on 5HE's social impact and Deep Listening work, visit www.fifth-house.com/social-impact. For more on 5HE's training programs for emerging artists, visit www.freshincfestival.com.
History
Formed in 2005, Fifth House Ensemble's artistic, educational, and civic programs engage theater groups, video game designers, corporate innovators, and folk bands to share stories as diverse as the communities it serves. The ensemble has released two critically acclaimed albums on Cedille Records, and has produced fully interactive music and gaming experiences including Journey LIVE and Undertale LIVE.
Fifth House reaches 17,000 people per year through arts-integrated educational programs in K-12 schools and social service settings serving people transitioning from homelessness or incarceration. An established partner and resource to the nation's top music schools and conservatories, Fifth House launches the careers of emerging artists through entrepreneurship residencies and training programs, including those at Yale College, Eastman School of Music, New England Conservatory, Indiana University, Northwestern University, DePaul University, and the Colburn School. The ensemble's recent creative partnerships with the San Francisco Opera, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and The Cleveland Orchestra have resulted in bold new directions in emerging artist training and community-focused work.
In 2012, Fifth House launched Fresh Inc, a two-week, intensive training program for emerging composers and performers where Fifth House works with participants on building careers in music in line with their vision and values.
Artistic Vision
Praised by the New York Times for its "conviction, authority, and finesse," the Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble harnesses the collaborative spirit of chamber music to reach beyond the traditionally-perceived limits of classical music. The ensemble's boundary-breaking collaborations include fully-interactive video game experiences (Journey LIVE, Undertale LIVE), cross-cultural projects (with Mediterranean folk band Baladino and Tuvan throat singers Alash), and collaborations with non-arts partners (ACLU, workers' rights organizations, juvenile detention centers). The ensemble engages Deep Listening practice in its educational and social impact work; at the intersection of music and mindfulness, Deep Listening creates individual and group rituals that cultivate creativity and community. Fifth House also prioritizes artist development and training, building skills in entrepreneurial thinking, audience-centered programming, music technology, arts integration, and civic practice.
Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise
5HE's body of work was largely created in partnership with organizations serving:
- K-12 students: arts-integrated performances and residency programs that explore curricular intersections, including music and language arts, social studies, and science
- Youth and adults transitioning from homelessness or incarceration: Deep Listening (music composition and mindfulness) workshops and residencies provide individual rituals that cultivate mindfulness and freedom, as well as group activities that foster community and creativity.
- University students: 5HE has served chamber music, composition, community engagement, and entrepreneurship centers on campuses across the country with workshops and training programs covering entrepreneurship, music technology, civic engagement, Deep Listening, and more.
- Activist groups: 5HE has created projects with groups advancing workers' rights, conservation, free speech, and many others. Projects merge creative acts (music composition, visual art) with dialogue and storytelling.
Traditional Folk/Ethnic Artform Statement
5HE performs folk music in collaboration with groups like Baladino, Alash, and Henhouse Prowlers.
Name
Fifth House Ensemble
Type
Company/Ensemble
Address
332 S Michigan Ave
Suite 121-F501
Chicago, IL 60604
Artistic Director
Dan Visconti
[email protected]
216.956.0078
Contact Person
Herine Koschak
[email protected]
773.315.0507
Web Site
Artistic Discipline(s)
Multimedia/Experimental
Music
- Classical
- Contemporary
- Folk/Traditional
Geographic Availability
Central Illinois
Chicago/Chicagoland
Northern Illinois
Southern Illinois
Western Illinois
Fee Ranges
$500 - $25,000
Additional Services
Demonstrations
Lectures
Master classes
Residencies
Teacher Development
Workshops
Core Audience(s)
Adult
Bilingual
- Spanish
Children
Seniors
Youth
Additional Populations
Behavioral Disabilities
Cognitive Disabilities
Developmental Disabilities
Emotional Disabilities
Learning Disabilities
Physical Disabilities
Speech Impairments
Visual Impairments