Sapphire Woodwind Quintet

Description

Sapphire Woodwind Quintet has been entertaining audiences with eclectic programs since 2004. Sapphire has performed all over Chicagoland, including the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, Mostly Music Chicago, the Nineteenth Century Club, and the Noontime Concerts at the University of Chicago. Sapphire has also been broadcast live on WFMT from Preston Bradley Hall.
Sapphire's members are dedicated music educators. The quintet was invited by jazz musician Orbert Davis to join his Discover Music: Discover Life program, which brings high-quality programs to needy schools, giving all students access to the arts.
Known for its original programming and committed to expanding the quintet repertoire, the group commissions works from living composers and arranges pieces from overlooked (and often marginalized composers) to bring new music to the public. The goal is to surprise, inspire, and share the joy of live music.

The Science of Sound:
A. Barthe: Passacaille
Sound is Vibration Demonstration
J. Williams: Suite from Harry Potter
Spectrum Analyzer Demonstration
H. Isaac: Donna di dentro dalla tuo casa
Four Sources of Sound Demonstration
H. Mancini: The Pink Panther
W. G. Still: Jesus is a Rock
W. G. Still: Tayeras
Instrument Demonstrations
P. D’Rivera: Contradanza
Question and Answer Time

Work Sample

Divertimento by DACuchess Anna Amalia, recorded 3/3/22, duration 5:19. From our "More Than Muses: Women Composers Throughout History" program. Arranged for woodwind quintet by our very own Lisa R. Taylor.

The women composer's project has been a labor of love for each member of the quintet. The pandemic's performing hiatus has given the group a chance to further research, transcribe, and arrange pieces that have been overlooked or forgotten, and to tell the stories of the trailblazers who composed them.

History

Sapphire Woodwind Quintet has been entertaining audiences with eclectic programs since 2004. Sapphire has performed on concert series all over Chicagoland, including the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, Mostly Music Chicago, the Nineteenth Century Club, and the Noontime Concerts at the University of Chicago. Sapphire has also been broadcast live on WFMT performing at Preston Bradley Hall.

The members of Sapphire are also dedicated music educators. The quintet was invited by jazz musician Orbert Davis to join his Discover Music: Discover Life program, which is dedicated to bringing high-quality programs to needy schools, giving all students access to the arts.

Artistic Vision

Sapphire Woodwind Quintet is known for its original programming and committed to expanding the quintet repertoire. The group commissions works from living composers and arranges pieces from overlooked (and often marginalized composers) to bring new music to the public. The goal is to surprise, inspire, and share the joy of live music with their listeners.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

We have a variety of programs geared toward school-aged children. Our "Musical Time Machine" takes listeners on a journey through time and includes a visual presentation and instrument demonstrations. "The Science of Sound" is an interactive exploration of acoustical physics, and includes a number of demonstrations and experiments.