Sagar Anupindi, oboe Mickayla Chapman, clarinet Sean Meyers, saxophone Danny Mui, bass clarinet Joseph Swift, bassoon
The Vanguard Reed Quintet (VRQ) 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 consists of five colleagues who met as students at the University of Michigan: Sagar Anupindi (oboe), Mickayla Chapman (clarinet), Sean Meyers (saxophone), Danny Mui (bass clarinet), and Joseph Swift (bassoon).
Since 2016, VRQ has commissioned new compositions from seven young composers including Douglas Hertz, whose work From Lidless Eyes (Time Knows No Bounds) was recently featured at the 2017 Midwest Composers’ Symposium. These works will be featured on VRQ’s debut album to be recorded in summer 2018. The ensemble’s commitment to deep collaboration with fellow musicians and artists results in performances that elevate the reed quintet’s versatility, sensitivity, and power and “connect [the] audience with the intentions of the composer.”
The Vanguard Reed Quintet took second place at the Dale & Nancy Briggs Chamber Music Competition in 2017, where they received an award for the best performance of a work by a University of Michigan student or graduate. In addition, VRQ has been selected as a quarterfinalist ensemble for the 2018 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, taking place in May. The ensemble has been featured at the A-maize-ing SMTD (School of Music, Theatre, and Dance) concert in honor of the University of Michigan’s bicentennial celebration at the SMTD’s Annual Scholarship Showcase. In addition, VRQ will perform on a concert of premieres at National Sawdust in August 2018.
"Akropolis have been really great mentors and friends to us as we’ve started on the path to becoming a professional chamber ensemble. A number of our members took a class that Kari, Akropolis’s clarinetist, teaches at UofM called 'Business of Chamber Music'. They were the first reed quintet to come together at UofM, and we’ve been the second."
The Kerrytown District located in Ann Arbor Michigan has become an Ann Arbor retail destination making it convenient to stroll the neighborhood and check off your shopping list at a wonderfully diverse selection of locally owned businesses.
Featured Events
Ann Arbor Farmers Market
Located in the Kerrytown district, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market has been connecting producers with consumers for over 90 years! Located in the Kerrytown district, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market has been connecting producers with consumers for over 90 years!
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Edgefest 2024
Kerrytown Concert House’s 28th annual 4-day festival, an exploration of new music, improvised and composed. A diverse and deeply inclusive roster of innovative artists (local to international, emerging to established) bring their inspirational new music and collaborations which always contain messages relevant to our lives and the world today.
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Kindlefest
Festive outdoor market features artisans and vendors selling their holiday wares, plus traditional food and hot mulled wine. Kerrytown District retail businesses and restaurants stay open late on this evening as they participate in the festivities. You can expect a variety of artisans selling their wares, food and crafts as well as local food trucks & vendors. Beer and Glühwein will be available for sale, too!
