February 2011
2 posts
Announcing applications for IMANI WINDS CHAMBER... →
We are very excited to announce our second annual summer Chamber Music Institute held at The Juilliard School from July 27th to August 8th 2011.
Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival is an intense summer institute that features concerts, masterclasses, ensemble instruction, and career building workshops. For 10 days, musicians are mentored and immersed into all aspects of chamber music: honing...
December 2010
1 post
Five Pieces that will Change Your Mind about the... →
Brian Wise, associate producer of Soundcheck at WQXR 105.9 recently asked Monica for “five pieces that show off the best aspects of the bassoon.” Follow the link to check out her answers!
September 2010
1 post
Foraging into Terra Incognita
It’s not often that I get to return to nature as I did recently and coincidentally on the release date of our new album. Being a native of Monterey, it is inevitable that I’m tied to nature, so I decided my sister and I had to go on an adventure. An adventure into “Terra Incognita”, unknown territory, lost land… or Los Padres National Forest in Big Sur,...
August 2010
4 posts
Tip for oboe #2: how to bend notes
Use you regular embouchure. When you want to bend the note roll your lips out as if you were going to whistle, then pull the reed out of your mouth. Don’t forget your vibrato!
[Toyin]
Tip for oboe #1: How to make your low notes sound...
1. Use a vibrant reed 2. Make sure your support is set up before you start to play 3. Don’t try “overblowing” to make the note sound, if you’re playing in pianissimo use a pianissimo amount of air 4. Don’t tongue too hard 5. Make sure to really use your back muscles down at the lower part of your back to support
[Toyin]
Tip #1: finding true joy
Remember, the true joy of chamber music is in the exploration and shared experience of musical expression. Let your voice be heard and respect that of all others in your ensemble.
[Jeff]
July 2010
5 posts
Inspiration | Down in the Treme, with me and my...
OK. If you haven’t seen the HBO original series, Treme (pronounced Trem-ay), order HBO. If you don’t already have it, and watch it On Demand, right now! Or you know … find some other way to watch it. :)
The finale to the “season” was so awesome! I say season in quotes because it only consists of some 8 odd episodes. (Didn’t Cosby have to do 20 episodes to...
Eats | Homemade Chicken Sloppy Joes
Well, being a wife certainly is an exploration of Terra Incognita when it comes to cooking. Don’t get me wrong, I love to cook, but I never thought I’d see myself trying to make sloppy joe sandwiches (from scratch to boot). The only thing I have to say is I came, I conquered, and I kicked some old school cafeteria butt with this recipe and I didn’t need manwich or any other...
Wayne Shorter. That's really all you gotta say.
Wayne Shorter. Wayne Shorter…
You say that name to a certain group of musicians and music lovers and they shudder with awe in admiration of his greatness. You say that name to others, even musicians and the “musically savvy”, and they may scratch their heads “Hmmm, sounds familiar.” Then you say, when talking to that second set of folks “Well, of course...
June 2010
10 posts
Reflections on a living idol: Imani Winds &...
I remember the first recording I heard of this Paquito D’Rivera. A friend of mine was playing gigs on and off with him and introduced me to the famous album with Dizzy Gillespie and the United Nations Orchestra. I had heard of Dizzy and even met him at his yearly Monterey Jazz Festival gig, my hometown jazz festival that I had no idea was so global. I heard clarinet playing on this album...
A review from Bryant Park →
Inspiration | "Fences" and the lovely Denzel!
Last Wednesday I was able to score a ticket to the matinee performance of Broadway’s Fences, by the great American playwright August Wilson. I say “score” a ticket because it’s practically impossible to get one that’s remotely reasonably priced. As I often do, I procrastinated so much when the show first opened, which was in early April, and didn’t...
Free concert tonight at Bryant Park →
We’re playing a free set at 6PM in Bryant Park. The weather is perfect! Come out come out!
Welcome to our blog
We are looking forward to doing some good old fashioned blogging! We’ve got an exciting season ahead, and hope to use this Tumblr page for tour updates, random photos, video-blogging, and whatever may inspire us along the way. In the meantime, you can visit our website for information on upcoming shows, reviews and more.
Thanks for finding us and stay tuned for more!