UCA :Imani Winds Quintet Featured Feb 23

The University of Central Arkansas’s Black History Month activities will include the Imani Winds quintet at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb 23 at the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall.
 
The concert is free and open to the public.
 
“The ensemble is made up of five African-American members: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn,” said Dr. Lorraine Duso, assistant professor of music at UCA. “One might think they play band music, but actually they play a wide variety of music from European to African-American to Latin traditions.”
 
Imani Winds infuses chamber music with the sound of woodwind instruments, a unique departure from the traditional string quartet. Much of the ensemble’s repertoire consists of original compositions written by its own members specifically for a wind quintet.
 
Since 1997, the Grammy-nominated quintet has performed at such major venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Kennedy Center, playing alongside well-known artists like Yo-Yo Ma and Daniel Binelli.
 
“Imani Winds does a lot of educational programs, especially outreach programs for all ages,” Duso said. “They are very proud of their African-American heritage and wish to share it with everyone.”
 
After researching the quintet online, Duso got in touch with UCA’s Office of Minority Services and Dr. Jeff Jarvis, chair of the Department of Music. It seemed like booking the quintet was a serendipitous opportunity for both the Minority Service’s Black History Month Celebration and the music department.
 
“I want our students to hear them play and learn about their profession,” Duso said. “We have many students who play in chamber groups at UCA. Students will see that a chamber ensemble can successfully earn a living performing if they find innovative ways to attract the public.”
 
The Boston Globe said that Imani Winds is recognized as one of the leading wind quintets in America and “revels in challenging preconceptions about ‘classical’ music and musicians.”
 
Currently, Imani Winds is commissioning, premiering and touring 10 new works for woodwind written by a diverse selection of contemporary composers.
 
“The audience will love the music,” Duso said. “When one listens to Latin or spirituals, the music is so appealing you just want to tap your foot and bounce to the rhythm.”
 
For more information, contact Duso at (501) 450-5769 or lduso@uca.edu.