P R E S S K I T 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7

thebreakingwinds.comthebreakingwinds@gmail .com

The Breaking Winds Bassoon Quartet is an artist-run creative project by

bassoonists Brittany Harrington-Smith, Yuki Katayama, Kara LaMoure, and Lauren

Yu Ziemba. Their repertoire disregards genre, with favorites from the worlds of

classical, pop, jazz, soundtrack, and folk music adapted for the ensemble by its

members. Known for their stage antics, the BWBQ use choreography, accessory

instruments, props, and skits to add theatrical elements to their performances.

The ensemble’s mission is threefold: to navigate the intersection of classical

music, pop culture, and comedy, to expand the scope of bassoon performance,

and to create meaningful bonds with audiences. Now in their 7th season, the

Breaking Winds maintain a dynamic schedule of performances at community

venues, festivals, and schools throughout the world.

The highlight of the Breaking Winds’ 2015-2016 season was a tour to China, Hong Kong, and Japan, where they shared the stage with a bassoon ensemble in Hong Kong, staged a concert in a Shanghai gallery space, and collaborated with Chinese beatboxers. Recent domestic tours have taken them to New York, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. In June 2016, they joined the artist roster of the Fox Products Corporation, the premier manufacturer of bassoons in the United States.

In 2013, the Breaking Winds premiered their commissioned concerto, Scott A. Switzer’s Breaking Out for quartet and wind ensemble, with the Yale Concert Band. They have since performed as soloists with the West Point Band, Eastman Wind Ensemble, and Northshore Concert Band. In August 2014, Breaking Out was a featured concerto at the International Double Reed Society Conference in New York City.

Advocates of creative music education, the Breaking Winds have presented master classes at Southern Methodist University, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Sichuan Conservatory. They have been guest artist-teachers with the Chenery Double Reed Ensemble and the University of Missouri Bassoon Ensemble, and they have served as clinicians at the music education conferences of Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Missouri, and Oregon.

The Breaking Winds’ quirky affability lends them a global following on social media. To date their Youtube channel has garnered over a million views and has received buzz from NPR and MTV. Online support has led to some of the quartet’s most memorable gigs, including the filming of a reality show at Brooklyn “nerd bar” The Way Station and the Nathan’s Famous 2016 Hot Dog Eating Contest.

THE MUSIC INSTIGATOR PODCASTSeptember 2015

TEDx SMUQuartet-A-Tete With The Breaking WindsApril 2014

THE DOUBLE REED JOURNALAn Interview With The Breaking Winds Bassoon QuartetJune 2013

THE ROCHESTER REVIEWThe Eastman EvolutionNovember-December, 2012

THE GLASS BLOGThe Breaking Winds Bassoon QuartetJune 19, 2012

ARTS JOURNAL BLOGKara Goes ViralMay 28, 2012

THE HECKLERBreaking Trail (And Winds) For Classical Music In The 21St CenturyJanuary 20, 2011

NPR

The Clown Of The Orchestra Takes Its Revenge

September 4, 2011

General Consulate of the United States – Chengdu, China

The New Yorker

billboard.com

WQXR Radio

Baltimore Sun

BuzzFeed

ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS

ONLINE MENTIONS

CONCERTS

The BWBQ perform as a quartet in sets ranging from

45 to 90 minutes long. Repertoire is custom-tailored

to the venue to include a dynamic mix of genres,

movement, and accessories. Interactions between

performers and audience establish an intimate

atmosphere at each concert. On special occasions, a

drummer joins the quartet to perform contemporary

popular songs. Past venues include Joe’s Pub (New

York City), Klyde Warren Park (Dallas), Flamingo

Shanghai, and Forbidden City Concert Hall (Beijing),

as well as a broad range of community spaces

around the world.

“The U.S. Consulate in Chengdu asked

The Breaking Winds to participate in its public outreach in order to show the

Chinese public a modern and unique

side of American musical culture. These talented

young women did not disappoint,

entertaining local audiences with their witty renditions and

musical talent.m

-Andrew Ou, Public Affairs Officer,

Consulate General of the United States of America,

Chengdu

”

REPERTOIRE HIGHLIGHTS

Claire de Lune - C. Debussy, arr. Y. Katayama

Rondo Alla Bassoona - W. A. Mozart, arr. B. Harrington

Pièce en form de “Habanero” - M. Ravel, arr. K. LaMoure

Prelude from Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major - J.S. Bach, arr. L. Yu Ziemba

“The Breaking Winds are about more than entertainment. They also strive to convey that music is meant

to be interacted with and that it doesn’t

need to be confined to one genre or

another.m

-Laura Pawlowski, The Double Reed (IDRS)

”

COLLABORATIONS

The BWBQ love to share the stage with fellow

musicians. Their commissioned concerto for four

bassoons and wind ensemble, Scott A. Switzer’s

Breaking Out, has received performances with five

bands across the United States. As soloists with

orchestra, they prefer to borrow other instruments’

concerti, including Schumann’s Konzertstück for

horns and Anderson’s Bugler’s Holiday for trumpets.

When visiting students, the quartet joins forces with

bassoon ensembles from the middle school through

conservatory levels to choreograph large group

pieces.

REPERTOIRE HIGHLIGHTS

Bassonist’s Holiday with Wind Ensemble - Leroy Anderson

Serenade for a Picket Fence with Wind Ensemble - Norman Leyden

Concerto for Bassoon Quartet and Wind Ensemble - Scott A. Switzer

Konzertstück for Four Horns and Orchestra, Op.86 - Robert Schumann

“Not only is it creative and ingenious

but they are great bassoonists too! It’s

outstanding!m

-Lezlee Masson, bassoonist, Air Force Band

”

CLINICS

Besides serving as ambassadors for their all-too-

neglected instrument, the BWBQ advocate for

creative musicianship among current and future arts

leaders. To this end, they present clinics at conferences

and universities based on their experience as a

touring ensemble. For music educators, topics

include bassoon methods, chamber music, and

arranging. For aspiring music entrepreneurs, topics

include organizational strategies, out-of-the-box

thinking, and marketing.

REPERTOIRE HIGHLIGHTS

Whisper Key Rock - K. LaMoure

Beat It! - Michael Jackson, arr. L. Ziemba

1812 Overture - P.I. Tchaikovsky, arr. K. LaMoure

Bolero Bassoon Parts - M. Ravel, arr. The BWBQ

“In their combination of performing,

arranging, composing, and technological savvy the BWBQ

demonstrate hyphenated

musicianship. Music educators might consider helping

their students develop similar skills,

knowledge, and dispositions of

how they might engage as musicians

in contemporary society....

-Evan Tobias, Assistant Professor of Music

Education, Arizona State University

”

EDUCATIONAL

In schools, a 30-60 minute concert program is tailored

to the needs of each class or program. Younger

students learn about instrument design and how

music plays a role in their daily lives. Older students

are offered ways to enrich their own education with

creativity and play. Students and teachers take part

in the performance as conductors, percussionists,

and even as featured actors! A quick Q & A session

wraps it up.

REPERTOIRE HIGHLIGHTS

BWBQ Theme Song - Y. Katayama

Last Tango in Bayreuth - Peter Schickele

Forget You! - Cee Lo Green, arr. L. Ziemba

Disney Princess Party - Various, arr. K. LaMoure

MEDIA

Breaking In features an eclectic playlist of the Breaking

Winds’ favorites. At times silly and at times touching,

the group’s debut album reflects the character of the

ensemble. Popular music is a prominent feature of

the album, with songs from Disney films and Lady

Gaga among the most popular tracks. It is available

through most online music vendors and streaming

services.

A selection of the BWBQ’s original compositions

and transcriptions are published through TrevCo

Music Publishing. Titles include Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor BWV 565, Debussy’s Le Petit Nègre (Cakewalk), and Yuki Katayama’s Le Pètomane. Sheet

music can be purchased through TrevCo’s website or

directly from the Breaking Winds.

“The bassoon has also made the move

into the world of pop. There’s a quartet of

classically trained bassoonists that

covered Lady Gaga’s greatest hits...That’s

right—bassoon on MTV!m

-NPR, All Things Considered

”

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

International Double Reed Society Conferences - New York, Tokyo, Georgia

2016 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest (Coney Island, New York)

International Beijing Bassoon Festival

Sound Live Bar - Chengdu, China

The Fringe Club - Hong Kong

FL:EX Gallery – Shanghai

University of Missouri Guest Artist Series

Mansfield University

Arcade, NY Good Friends Making Great Music Series

Joe’s Pub - NYC

RECENT PERFORMANCES

PERFORMANCE COLLABORATIONS

Bassoonion (Hong Kong)

University of Missouri Bassoon Ensemble

Eastman School of Music alumni bassoon band

Eastman Wind Ensemble

Yale Band

Southern Methodist University Wind Ensemble

West Point Band

Missouri Bandmasters Association

Sichuan Conservatory

Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra

Music Education Association Conference - Oregon, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire

University of Missouri

Public schools tour - Dallas-Fort Worth, New Haven, Michigan

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH