The Sound Garden Project
The Sound Garden Project’s mission is to plant classical music in unexpected places as we reimagine a 21st-century performance experience. In these ensembles' ambitious hands, a concert becomes an event, and an audience becomes a community of inspiration, understanding and hope.
Concerts
All concerts are free and open to the public — no tickets required unless otherwise noted.
All outdoor events are weather permitting.
June 10-20: Kodak Quartet at Manitou Music Festival, Glen Arbor, MI
These performances are part of the Glen Arbor Arts Center’s Manitou Music Series, presented in partnership with IPR’s Sound Garden Project.
- Friday, June 13 at 9:30 p.m.: Kodak Quartet concert at Empire Beach, Empire, MI
- Saturday, June 14 at 2 p.m.: Kodak Quartet pontoon concert on Big Glen Lake (near the Narrows)
- Tuesday, June 17 at 11 a.m.: Kodak Quartet at Library Story Time at Glen Lake Community Library, Empire
- Friday, June 20 at 6 p.m.: Kodak Quartet concert at Old Settlers Park Chapel, Maple City
*Since seating in the Chapel is limited, it’s important that attendees register in advance for their free tickets using the link below:
https://glenarborart.org/product/kodak-quartet-at-old-settlers-park-chapel/
*Update 6/11/25 - this concert is currently SOLD OUT but check back for additional concert opportunities - Many more Kodak Quartets events are planned in and around Glen Arbor - view the complete schedule here
June 24-26: Cerus Quartet in Frankfort, MI
- Tuesday, June 24 at 1 p.m.: Cerus Quartet in downtown Frankfort
- Wednesday, June 25 at 1 p.m.: Cerus Quartet in downtown Frankfort
- Thursday, June 26, 7 p.m.: Cerus Quartet at Oliver Art Center, Frankfort (reserve free tickets here)
July 14-20: Fivemind Reeds in Cheboygan, MI
- Wednesday, July 16 at 7 p.m.: Fivemind Reeds at Washington Park, Cheboygan
- Saturday, July 19 at 7 p.m.: Fivemind Reeds at Cheboygan Opera House, Cheboygan
2025 Ensembles
FIVEMIND REEDS: Fivemind’s interests lie in bridging the gap between classical and contemporary music, and promoting diversity and equity in the arts through community engagement, expansion of the reed quintet’s repertoire, and revitalization of the age-old traditions of chamber music.
KODAK QUARTET: This dynamic, award-winning string quartet is setting the world on fire with their passionate and energetic playing. They are highly regarded for their work with contemporary composers on new compositions and for presenting traditional works with a contemporary flavor.
CERUS QUARTET: Founded in 2020, the Cerus Quartet focuses on showcasing the dynamic, versatile sound worlds of the saxophone quartet, programming everything from contemporary compositions to transcriptions of traditional repertoire.
2023 Ensembles
PULSE: An award-winning saxophone quartet delivering a diverse range of repertoire, seeking to break down barriers between themselves and their audience. (2023, 2024)
Fivemind Reeds: A dynamic, 21st-century reed quintet based in LA and committed to promoting diversity and equity in the arts through community engagement. (2023, 2024)
Blue Quartet: A saxophone quartet seeking to distill music of the highest quality into the everyday lives of people - and to inspire those inclined to do the same. (2023)
Gallery
Kodak Quartet at Black Star Farms
Members of the Fivemind Reed Quintet play oboe and saxophone at Tom's.
The Blue Saxophone Quartet poses with their saxophones outside Dollar General.
(Photo: Susan Tusa — IG: @__sutu__)
Learn more
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Matthew SchlomerThis week, Mei Stone goes to places where people are faced with choices, like a skate shop and a brewery, and asks them to turn those opinions onto classic music. -
This summer, wherever you go, you might stumble upon classically trained musicians performing just for you. -
Michigan's Cerus Quartet wins honorable mention at the 2025 Plowman Chamber Music Competition. -
The Kodak Quartet from New York is part of IPR’s Sound Garden Project, which plants music in unexpected places. -
Edgar Donati, Martin Noh, Daniel Spink and Blake Kitayama of the Kodak Quartet are in residence as part of IPR's Sound Garden Project. -
Darren Liou, Matthew Rasmussen, Alex Lee, Thacher Schreiber and Kristine Llanderal of Fivemind Reeds are in residence in Glen Arbor, part of IPR's Sound Garden Project. -
Saxophonists Samuel Hartt, Lauren Troutman, Jonah Kulick and Joshua Elwood have been planting music in unexpected places with IPR's Sound Garden Project. -
Thacher Schreiber, Darren Liou, Alex Lee, Matthew Rasmussen and Jacob Freiman are planting music in unexpected places this summer through IPR's Sound Garden Project. -
Saxophonists Zachary Costello, Luke Haight, Owen Robinson and Michael Ethier won first prize in the prestigious NOLA Chamber Fest's Performing Artists division. -
As PULSE, Zachary Costello, Luke Haight, Owen Robinson and Michael Ethier deliver a wide-ranging repertoire that engages and inspires with a fresh approach to classical music.
