Akropolis Reed Quintet, Quintet

Biography

Described as playing with "imagination, infallible musicality, and huge vitality" (Fanfare Magazine), the Akropolis Reed Quintet is a cutting edge ensemble that performs an innovative, living repertoire with acclaimed precision. Akropolis’ dynamic concerts feature modern compositions framed by fresh arrangements of classical music spanning four centuries. Founded in 2009 and winner of the 2014 Fischoff Gold Medal, Akropolis  took Grand Prize at the MTNA and Plowman chamber music competitions consecutively in 2011, and in 2012 were runner-up at the Yellow Springs National Chamber Music Competition, Silver Medalist at the Fischoff Competition, and Bronze Medalist at the International Chamber Music Competition held at the New England Conservatory. Championing the next generation of maverick musicians, Akropolis is also winner of the 2015 Fischoff Educator Award.

At the heart of Akropolis’ new music initiatives are over 20 commissions from composers around the world, including the United States, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Turkey, Israel, Argentina, and Serbia. Each collaboration results from a unique commissioning project, including High Speed Reed and Unraveled, Akropolis' first two full-length albums. Deeply invested in fortifying the reed quintet as a fully-established ensemble type, Akropolis devised and leads the first-ever reed quintet consortium, which will commission American composer Joel Puckett to create a reed quintet work to be performed by 13 reed quintets on 3 continents, the first endeavor of its kind for the reed quintet. Akropolis also produces a YouTube Web Premiere Series, which showcases new works and arrangements, as well as composer interviews, for a live Internet audience. Furthering the construction of a new paradigm in chamber music, Akropolis created the Akropolis Collection, a catalog of reed quintet sheet music available at their online store.

Akropolis created the 2013 Fall Education Tour, funded by over $5,000 raised by a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign. The tour visited 10 schools in Michigan serving underprivileged youth or under-funded arts programs. With lessons custom-designed for each grade level, Akropolis has musical offerings for every student, regardless of their musical background or level of training. Ranging from interactive melody games for elementary students, master classes for middle and high school ensembles, and composer forums and business workshops for college musicians, Akropolis harnesses its creativity, energy, and versatility to make music a personal and lasting experience for all students.

Akropolis delivers passionate, energized, and unforgettable performances on a variety of series both traditional and contemporary in nature. Their program offerings, including "Newspapers of the Soul", "Akropolis Unraveled", "Bach's Office Hits", and "Pulse", juxtapose traditional and contemporary music within themed arcs, remaking the audience's vision of both new and old music.