Rome Sentinel

Ensemble brings together ‘five families’ of instruments, voice

By Mike Jaquays STAFF WRITER

UTICA

Monk Rowe and the Five Families Ensemble will perform a wide variety of music, from Beethoven to Brubeck to the blues, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at the Utica Public Library, 303 Genesee St.

“The word ‘eclectic’ was seemingly invented to describe a performance by the Five Families Ensemble,” Rowe said. “A swinging blues tune may be followed by an original Latin number to be followed by a movement from a Beethoven symphony.”

Admission is free and light refreshments will be provided.

Directed by Rowe, the Five Families Ensemble expands the boundaries of a traditional chamber ensemble by combining sounds from each of the four instrument groups — brass, woodwinds, percussion and strings — with the fifth part of the human voice.

Their repertoire is arranged specifically for the group and also includes original compositions.

“I am compelled to compose and arrange music, and formed the group in 2019 so I could hear my work played,” Rowe explained. “The unique instrumentation opens up endless possibilities of sounds and inspired the ensemble’s name.”

The group appeals to audiences of all ages by combining stellar musicianship with an engaging and welcoming attitude. In addition to Rowe playing woodwinds and keyboards, members of the Five Families Ensemble are Liz Simchik on violin and vocals, Kristen Kopf on cello, Scott Rutledge on trumpet, flugelhorn and vocals, and Tom McGrath on percussion.

“The four families of instruments, brass, woodwind, strings and percussion are all represented; the human voice adds a fifth,” Rowe said. “Above all, we intend for the group and our audience to have a seriously good time and to have a melody to hum as they exit the Utica library gallery.”

Attendance is limited to 50 people. Register online by calling 315-735-2279, ext. 201 or at www.uticapubliclibrary.org/calendar.

Entertainment

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2023-06-04T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-04T07:00:00.0000000Z

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