Two densely-scheduled days this November marked the fruition of a collaborative project two years in the making, designed by Gateway to the Arts and the School of Music at Carnegie Mellon University. The goal was to assist the graduate chamber music ensembles at CMU in developing dynamic outreach programs for public school students grades K-12. Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, project coordinators Lisa Hoitsma of Gateway and Dr. Natalie Ozeas of CMU enlisted the expertise of the Grammy-nominated African-American woodwind quintet, Imani Winds, known world-wide for their high-quality outreach programming that focuses on excellent musicianship, audience participation and repertoire.
The two days of workshops and master classes at CMU and Pittsburgh Public Schools highlighted the many ways that Imani Winds develop, direct and perform their engaging, developmentally-appropriate in-school programs. Drawing from their own extensive experience in presenting chamber music to students and coaching musicians, the members of Imani Winds worked with five ensembles of talented young musicians from CMU to demonstrate and discuss best practices through a series of master classes that took place at CMU as well as Pittsburgh Colfax K-8 and Pittsburgh Obama 6-12.
Considered North America’s premier wind quintet, Imani Winds is a standout among chamber music ensembles. Known not just for their dynamic playing, the quintet is also celebrated for their programming which creatively blends the traditional with diverse influences, drawing from African, American, European and Latin American traditions, as well as for their skillful outreach and residency programs. Their annual Chamber Music Festival occurring at the Juilliard School in the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts is an intensive summer institute for artists, much like the work they condensed for the CMU students here.
After performing for the School of Music students during their weekly Convocation, the members of Imani Winds met with the participating graduate students to discuss the essential elements of developing an outreach program including how to introduce yourself and your instrument, selecting repertoire, presentation skills, and the pacing of the program. They then engaged the students in a master class, critiquing their brand new presentations and providing an extensive talk-back session. Each of the five ensembles, selected from 25-30 groups in the School of Music, had an opportunity to perform parts of their programs before performing for Pittsburgh Public School students the next day and receiving a second round of feedback. Additionally, the student ensembles observed Imani Winds’ programs for the elementary and high school schools students, benefiting by viewing the actual interaction with an inquisitive and engaged audience.
Gateway to the Arts plans to continue to work with the CMU students to refine their performance programs and hopes to include some of them on our roster soon. We want to thank Dr. Ozeas, Levi Dean, the enthusiastic graduate student musicians, and music teachers Mrs. Moule from Colfax and Pittsburgh Obama’s Mrs. Addy, Mr. Schrader, and Principal Walters who helped make the two days such a success.
Imani Winds will be back in Pittsburgh to perform at the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society’s February 27, 2012 concert at 7:30PM. You can buy your tickets here.