A component of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arts Institute, the Arts Outreach Program works hand-in-hand with the School of Music to share the expertise of its three faculty ensembles-in-residence with young musicians and community audiences around the state. The UW-Madison continues to commit resources to supoort the Pro Arte String Quartet, Wingra Woodwind Quintet and the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, having been the first American public institution of its kind to have artists-in-residence. In addition to perorming as part of the School of Music Faculty Concert Series, each ensemble travels to Wisconsin high schools and concert halls, working with young musicians and performing for local concert series patrons.
The WISCONSIN BRASS QUINTET has presented concerts and master classes throughout the United States, including performances at Carnegie Hall, international brass conferences, and major universities and conservatories. Their performances and recordings have been acclaimed by nationally recognized musicians and critics. Barry Kilpatrick writes for the American Record Guide, “I’ve reviewed over 250 brass recordings in the past five years, and this is one of the very best. The WBQ is a remarkable ensemble that plays with more reckless abandon, warmth, stylistic variety, and interpretive interest than almost any quintet in memory.” Lending their artistry to the quintet are John Aley and Alan Campbell, trumpet; Douglas Hill, horn; Mark Hetzler, trombone; and John Stevens, tuba.
The quintet’s repertoire numbers over 250 works from all periods and styles, including numerous compositions and arrangements by quintet members John Stevens, Douglas Hill, and Mark Hetzler. Their three CDs are titled Fabrics (Summit Records), Images (Mark Records), and The Feast Awaits (Crystal Records). These extraordinary recordings feature compositions by John Harbison, Verne Reynolds, Daren Hagen, Enrique Crespo, Stevens and Hill.
One of the world’s distinguished string quartets, the PRO ARTE QUARTET maintains a three-fold commitment to the performance of chamber music. The quartet promotes an exciting balance of old and new repertoire, seeking opportunities to commission and premiere works of living composers in a variety of contemporary styles. It forges a passionate connection with audiences of diverse backgrounds through a full schedule of concerts, tours, recordings, and broadcasts. The Pro Arte Quartet also honors its past as the first ensemble-in-residence at a major American university, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison with full appointments, combining performance, education, and service to the state.
Founded in 1912, the Pro Arte Quartet served as the court quartet to Queen Elizabeth of Belgium, first touring New York and other American cities in 1926. Thirty additional tours were made to the U.S., often under the patronage of Mrs. Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, renowned for her support of chamber music. Stranded in the U.S. by the outbreak of World War II in 1940, the ensemble accepted a residency at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The quartet’s dedication to the music of its own time has led to commissions and collaborations with composers such as Bela Bartok, Darius Milhaud, Arthur Honneger, Gunther Schuller, Fred Lerdahl, and Samuel Adler. Its recordings are available on the Laurel, Gunmar, Centaur, CRI, Albany and UW School of Music labels.
The Pro Arte Quartet is comprised of violinists David Perry and Suzanne Beia, violist Sally hisholm, and cellist Parry Karp.
Established in 1965, the Wingra Woodwind Quintet has maintained a tradition of artistic and teaching excellence. Wingra has earned a reputation as a most accessible and dynamic ensemble with its many performances in the Midwest. Their repertoire balances traditional literature with the contemporary and their programming of cross-cultural music has become a focus for many of their concerts.
Describing their debut at Carnegie Hall, New York Times critic Peter Davis stated, “The performances were consistently sophisticated, sensitive, and thoroughly vital.” The Wingra Quintet has been featured at meetings of the Music Educators National Conference, the Music Teachers National Association and the International Double Reed Society. The ensemble has held residencies at many university campuses nationwide, combining performance and master classes. Wingra’s music can be found on the Golden Crest, Spectrum, and School of Music labels, as well as on an educational video entitled Developing Woodwind Ensembles.
Wingra’s enthusiasm for performance and teaching makes it an ensemble for every generation and every audience. Its faculty artists include Stephanie Jutt, flute; Marc Fink, oboe; Linda Bartley, clarinet; Marc Vallon, bassoon; and Linda Kimball, horn.