To commemorate our 25th Anniversary, the Whitewater Brass Quintet this year commissioned a new composition by composer Clint Needham. We performed the world premier of “Abstract Mosaics” at UW-Whitewater on March 10th.

From the Composer:

“Abstract Mosaics was commissioned by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Faculty Brass Quintet in celebration of the group’s 25th anniversary. 

“Inspiration for the work was drawn from mosaic artwork created by artist Sonia King. The work is cast in four main sections, each highlighting a particular sonic quality unique to the brass quintet. Like mosaic artwork, the pieces of the quintet (2 trumpets, horn, trombone, & tuba) constantly work in concert with one another to create the music as opposed to having one voice carry the main melodic content while the others accompany. I felt this was particularly important in order to equally showcase the talents of all members the UW-Whitewater Quintet as they celebrate 25 years of dedication to performing as a group.”

Composer Clint Needham, originally from Texas, is currently a Jacobs School of Music Doctoral Fellow in composition at Indiana University.  He received a BM in composition from Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory and an MM from Indiana University, and has studied with Claude Baker, David Dzubay, Michael Gandolfi, Per Mårtensson, P.Q. Phan, Sven-David Sandström, Richard Wernick, and Loris Chobanian.  Clint has also studied with Robert Beaser, Sydney Hodkinson, Christopher Rouse, and George Tsontakis at the Aspen Music Festival as a Susan and Ford Schumann Composition Fellow. 

Clint’s music has been performed by the American Brass Quintet, American Composers Orchestra, Aspen Concert Orchestra, Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, the Indiana University New Music Ensemble, New York Youth Symphony, the Oberon Trio, the Stanford Wind Quintet, and Symphony in C, among others.  Recent awards include a 2009 SCI/ASCAP Student Composer Commission, the 2008 Heckscher Composition Prize from Ithaca College, the 2008 Aspen Music Festival’s Jacob Druckman Prize, a 2008 Lee Ettelson Composer Award, the 2007 Underwood New Music Commission from the American Composers Orchestra, a New York Youth Symphony First Music Commission, a 2007 ASCAP/Morton Gould Young Composer Award, and the 2007 William Schuman Prize/BMI Student Composer Award.  His music has recently been performed at various venues across the United States including the Aspen Music Festival, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, Carnegie Hall, the Green Room in San Francisco, Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival, Meadowlark Music Festival, Midwest Composers Symposium, and the Music Educators National Conference in Salt Lake City.

More information can be found at www.clintneedham.com.

front, L to R: Frank Hanson, Linda Kimball, Ed Hong

back, L to R: Michael Dugan, John Tuinstra

The Whitewater Brass Quintet is the university's first resident faculty chamber ensemble, established in 1983. The quintet has performed frequently on Wisconsin Public Radio broadcast recitals, in concerts throughout Wisconsin and Illinois, competed in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, and performs frequently on regional concert series. We have commissioned and premiered new works and continue to be an active contributor to the musical life of the region.

In addition to performing concerts throughout each year the quintet also maintains a strong commitment to music education. We frequently present programs or clinics in public schools in Wisconsin and northern Illinois—in fact more than 70 schools have hosted performances by the Quintet since its inception. Our school programs are designed to provide a live chamber music experience for young instrumentalists and to foster interest in brass ensemble literature.

For additional information about the Whitewater Brass quintet, or to inquire about our services, please contact us.