If you're in Glen Arbor any time between now and June 15, you're probably going to encounter the musicians of Fivemind Reeds.
They're in residence in Glen Arbor as part of this summer's IPR Sound Garden Project.
They were also a part of IPR's Sound Garden Project in 2023, and they're excited to return for a second summer. Fivemind Reeds originally formed in 2021, when the members were students at UCLA.
The ensemble visited Studio A to perform some music and talk about what they learned last summer and how it affects their current musicianship.
The reed quintet as an ensemble type (oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon and bass clarinet) is relatively new, which sometimes makes it interesting to find music to play.
"If we want to play something older than 1980s, it's on us," saxophonist Alex Lee explained. "We have to commission composers to write pieces for us, or we can arrange it for ourselves in house."
"In house" here means that either bassoonist Matthew Rasmussen or oboist Thacher Schreiber arranges the piece for the group. They played one of Schreiber's arrangements of a rag by William Bolcom in Studio A.
The members of Fivemind Reeds have been in residence in Glen Arbor since June 1, and they've enjoyed meeting people, playing music, and showing off their instruments.
"Walking around with our instruments is a great way to get a conversation started," Lee said. "People open up, and their eyes light up - it's just great."
Fivemind Reeds' Glen Arbor residency culminates with a concert at the Leelanau School on Saturday, June 15 at 6 p.m. The concert is free, but RSVPs are required. Click here to learn more and reserve a spot.
Music performed in Studio A
William Bolcom, "Old Adam" (arr. Thacher Schreiber)
Ton ter Doest, Circusmuziek (movements 4 & 7)
The members of Fivemind Reeds are saxophonist Alex Lee, clarinetist Darren Liou, bass clarinetist Kristine Llanderal, bassoonist Matthew Rasmussen and oboist Thacher Schreiber.
Interlochen Public Radio is proud to present Fivemind Reeds as part of the Manitou Music series and IPR’s Sound Garden Project, which plants classical music in unexpected places.
Matthew Schlomer is the Sound Garden Project Artistic Director.
This edition of Studio A was engineered by Kelley DiPasquale, with additional support from Alexandra Herryman, Emily Duncan Wilson and Scott Clemens.
