Vanguard Reed Quintet, “a prime vehicle for imagination” (I Care If You Listen), is committed to breaking new musical ground, increasing the depth and diversity of the reed quintet’s core repertoire, and engaging audiences with innovative, adventurous, and inspiring musical experiences. The ensemble boasts a number of competition awards, including Silver Medalist at the 2018 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, Second Prize and Michigan Prize at the 2017 Briggs Chamber Music Competition, and Honorable Mention at the 2019 Plowman Chamber Music Competition.
In 2020, Vanguard released its debut album, Red Leaf Collection, featuring world premiere recordings of six works commissioned by the ensemble. In August 2018, Vanguard premiered three of these new pieces—by Gala Flagello, Nina Shekhar, and Daniel Zlatkin—at National Sawdust in Brooklyn, NY. In addition, Vanguard’s repertoire includes other original reed quintet works, as well as arrangements of music ranging from Brahms to Stravinsky.
Vanguard has performed on stages across the United States, including Hill Auditorium, Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, National Sawdust, Kerrytown Concert House, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, and Missouri Theatre. With Ann Arbor as its hub, the ensemble has given concerts for the community of Southeast Michigan, in spaces such as the Novi Public Library and the Northside Community Church. In addition to performing, Vanguard has led numerous educational activities, partnering with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Detroit Public Schools, Brightmoor Arts Camp, and other schools throughout Southeast Michigan.
Vanguard was founded at the University of Michigan in 2017. In the same year, the ensemble performed at the A-maize-ing SMTD (School of Music, Theatre, and Dance) concert, honoring the University’s bicentennial. Vanguard was also featured at SMTD’s 2017 Annual Scholarship Showcase. Vanguard’s members are Sagar Anupindi (oboe), Mickayla Chapman (clarinet), Sean Meyers (saxophone), and Nico Chona (bass clarinet), with rotating guest bassoonists.
Vanguard Reed Quintet returns to First Presbyterian Church of Ypsilanti on April 19 for an evening of reed quintet music exploring ideas of nature, mythology, and storytelling!