Renaissance City Winds

The clichés about classical music being stuffy fly out the window when the Renaissance City Winds breeze into town. Verbal program notes and pre-concert chats involve audiences in the ensemble’s cheerful, informal performances. The music spans a wide variety of styles and eras from the 16th century to the present, with a special emphasis on American music. Named after the city of Pittsburgh, the Winds have recorded two CDs and performed at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.

Programs include serenade concerts (with 8-13 winds); thematic concerts for wind quartet/quintet with soloists on harp, voice, keyboard, guitar and strings; programs for wind trio, quartet or quintet; and collaborations with musical ensembles such as choirs or chamber groups. Residency activities include chamber music coaching, composition workshops, lecture/demonstrations and outreach performances.