Featuring six ensembles of various woodwind instruments, The Woodwind Chamber Ensemble Concert works to create a memorable performance. Along with BrassWorks, the yearly concert is a combination of all pieces rehearsed by each ensemble.
The Woodwind Chamber Ensemble will consists of several flute, clarinet, saxophone ensembles, and one woodwind ensemble coached by Heidi Miller.
For Sophomore Music and Education Major Nicole Skifton this concert will be the last real time her ensemble gets together this school year.
Starting as a trio last year, with a clarinet, oboe, and flute, they now also feature a french horn and a bassoon. The tightly knit quintet is coached by Ann Pesavento. Teaching at Gustavus since 1978 and coaching woodwind chamber music since 2011, Pesavento is a strong advocate for woodwind music.
One of the pieces, Skifton and her ensemble to play is “The Cascades” by Scott Joplin. The African-American composer, known for his original ragtime pieces, is also known by many as the “King of Ragtime Writers.” The genre originated in the south and is known for having a large range. Skifton spoke about her experience learning the piece.

“Everybody has worked incredibly hard this semester and will be an incredible quality that comes together.”—Henry Elling

“It’s really difficult at some points. The piece requires one to reach into higher and lower registers that have to be put together. Otherwise it doesn’t sound like a rag. The piece itself is really fun to play and listen to. It’s certainly fun as we are all really close within the ensemble and really have gotten to know each other over the years,” Skifton said.
One ensemble, the Little Quartet on the Prairie, is excited to be featured in the concert. The clarinet quartet consists of Sophomore Mackenzie Venhor, Junior Kailey Holmes, Junior Diana Mueller, and Junior Emily Leslie. Coached by Adjunct Assistant Professor in Music, Reina Kraut, the Quartet has been together for two years, including Leslie who joined them this year.
The group generally practices with Kraut once a week and once just the four of them. Their signature look while performing, includes being barefoot and wearing flowery clothing.
The group hopes to get together this summer and play at different places including Regions Hospital, and is planning on doing a full recital next year. Holmes describes being in the quartet.
“Little Quartet on the Prairie is a group of absolutely beautiful, wonderful women who have bonded over a love of music, humor and their fearless leader Reina Kraut,” Holmes said.
Normally, playing two different pieces each semester, one at a chapel service and one for the ensemble concerts, the group decided to place their focus on mastering one piece this semester.
The process for picking a piece begins with creating a list of what they might want to play. Then Kraut chooses which pieces suit the quartet. Math and Computer Science Majors Mueller spoke to the specific piece they will be playing.
“The piece features two different movements that have some themes that mix together different octaves and keys but within the same melody. In addition, it will feature a constant return to the same underlying melody. We have focused really hard on one piece this semester. Reina has provided really good constructive criticism and talks to each of us individually. It is very easy to talk to and provides a great amount of advice. Not only is she our coach but she is very much like a second mom,” Mueller said.
Sophomore Music Major Henry Elling has the honor of being in the Gustavus Saxophone Quartet.
“You get all types of skill level. You get the people who aren’t taking lessons and those who do. From there you get to feed off from others, and learn from yourself individually, as you ultimally learn how to play together with others at different levels. Everybody has worked incredibly hard this semester and will be an incredible quality that comes together. Every ensemble has been working on different levels of music, but it should all sound great,” Elling said.

“The piece itself is really fun to play.”—Nicole Skifton

Playing standard repertoire from Bach all of the way up to the 1950s, one should take the time to honor the entire woodwind faculty by attending the concert. Getting to see a wide range of groups and enjoying the music, anyone who attends should have a great time.
The Woodwind Chamber Ensemble Spring Concert will take place May 10 in the Bjorling recital hall 3:30 p.m. Admission is free for all who come.

-Dan Vruno