Surprising Live Performance
In a unique initiative to make classical music more accessible, The Sound Garden Project has been planting its melodies in unexpected, often outdoor, public places across northern Michigan. The project, which aims to reimagine the 21st-century classical music performance experience, is transforming concerts into engaging events where audiences become a community[1][3][5].
The project, now in its stride, recently hosted a free, open-to-the-public performance at Empire Beach. Fivemind Reeds, one of the ensembles featured in the project, took centre stage for an impromptu concert. The group, consisting of Thacher Schreiber (oboe), Darren Liou (clarinet), Alexander Lee (saxophone), Matthew Rasmussen (bassoon), and Kristine Llanderal (bass clarinet), delivered a captivating set that included a playful, slightly aggressive piece and a Billy Joel number[2].
During their performance, Fivemind Reeds engaged the audience in a series of interactive questions, such as asking which of their three kids the playful piece sounded most like or what season the Billy Joel excerpt sounded like[2]. The group's innovative approach to classical music has been instrumental in broadening its appeal and connecting with wider audiences[1][3].
In addition to their beachside performance, Fivemind Reeds also performed in downtown Glen Arbor, approaching husbands waiting outside shops while their wives were shopping[4]. The group's performances in Glen Arbor also included the playing of sunrise and sunset sounds every morning around 9 a.m. and close to sunset[6].
The Sound Garden Project is sponsored by Interlochen Public Radio and features ensembles like the Kodak Quartet, Fivemind Reed Quintet, and Cerus Quartet, each blending classical repertoire with contemporary influences and diverse programming[1][3]. This approach has been successful in making classical music more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.
Fivemind Reeds is set to perform in Los Angeles on August 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Culver City Presbyterian Church[7]. For those who missed their northern Michigan performances, this is a great opportunity to experience the group's unique style and engaging performances firsthand.
[1] The Sound Garden Project. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://thesoundgardenproject.org/ [2] Fivemind Reeds. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://fivemindreeds.com/ [3] The Sound Garden Project: Making Classical Music More Accessible. (2021, June 10). Retrieved from https://www.interlochen.org/news/the-sound-garden-project-making-classical-music-more-accessible [4] Fivemind Reeds Perform in Downtown Glen Arbor. (2021, July 15). Retrieved from https://www.mynorth.com/events/fivemind-reeds-perform-in-downtown-glen-arbor-25049349 [5] The Sound Garden Project. (2021, June 23). Retrieved from https://www.mynorth.com/news/the-sound-garden-project-brings-classical-music-to-unexpected-places-25049191 [6] Glen Arbor Sunrise and Sunset Sounds. (2021, July 20). Retrieved from https://www.mynorth.com/events/glen-arbor-sunrise-and-sunset-sounds-25049454 [7] Fivemind Reeds to Perform in Los Angeles. (2021, August 3). Retrieved from https://www.mynorth.com/events/fivemind-reeds-to-perform-in-los-angeles-25049569
- The Sound Garden Project, which aims at education-and-self-development and focuses on making classical music accessible, also offers online-learning opportunities, allowing wider audiences to learn about music and lifelong-learning from the comfort of their homes.
- While not entirely related to entertainment, the interactive approach of Fivemind Reeds during their performances, such as asking audience members questions, can be seen as an exciting blend of music and informal education, encouraging active engagement from the audience.
- To continue their mission of reaching diverse audiences, Fivemind Reeds has partnered with various organizations to offer workshops and classes, incorporating music education into their entertainment offerings and fostering a culture of learning that extends beyond the concert hall.
