Residency Details

Pre K — 2nd Grade

Music Is Fun! — 40 minutes (most popular)

  • Exciting "up-close" opening

  • Age appropriate introduction/demonstration of the instruments

  • Short classical and world music pieces, that allows children's imagination to soar.

  • Interactive sing-alongs featuring classic children's songs

  • OPTIONAL INCLUSION: The Story of the Woodwind Family — A narrated story where each instrument is a different part of the "family".

Peter and the Wolf — 40 minutes

  • Age appropriate introduction/demonstration of the instruments

  • Short classical and world music pieces for woodwind quintet

  • The classic children's tale, Peter and the Wolf, by Prokofiev, narrated by Imani Winds.

 

Elementary & Middle School

(Grades 3 — 8: Concerts are customized for the specific grades & ages)

Musical Journey Around the World — 45 minutes (most popular)

  • Featuring original and arranged compositions for wind quintet

  • Age appropriate introduction and demonstration of each instrument

  • Classical and world music pieces, with explanations emphasizing that music for wind quintet comes from all parts of the world

  • "Active listening" incorporated into the program

  • Q & A

How Jeff Got His Grove Back — 45 minutes

  • Brief introduction to each instrument

  • "Music-Telling" Story: Theatrical program, where instruments and music are used as unique, creative and vital parts of telling a timeless story of how believing in yourself is the key to success. Written by Imani Winds' oboist, Toyin Spellman-Diaz.

  • NOTE: Concert-sized bass drum is required and this program music be approved before scheduling.

  • Q & A

Peter and the Wolf — 45 minutes

  • Age appropriate introduction/demonstration of each instrument

  • Short classical and world music pieces for woodwind quintet

  • The classic children's tale, Peter and the Wolf, by Prokofiev, narrated by Imani Winds.

  • Q & A

"Zephyronia", by Bruce Adolph

  • Age appropriate introduction/demonstration of each instrument

  • "Zephyronia" is a comic musical parable about wind energy and the importance of saving our world with cooperation and understanding; set on the planet of ZEPHYRONIA! Narration and characters are played by Imani Winds.

  • Q & A

 

High School/Collegiate Concerts for Non-Music Students

Music from Around the World — 45 minutes (most popular)

  • Introduction/Demonstration of each instrument and the role it plays in the wind quintet

  • Classical and world music pieces for wind quintet, with explanations of the origins of the composers and the importance of instrumental music, in general

  • Q & A

Rhythm and Song: The Influence of the African Diaspora on Classical Music — 45 minutes

  • Introduction/Demonstration of each instrument and the role it plays in the wind quintet

  • Breakdown of some rhythmic and melodic elements of African music, and how it relates to wind quintet classical music

  • Q & A

The Art of the Spiritual: A lecture/demo — 1 hour

  • History of spirituals and their effect on Classical and Contemporary music

  • Emphasis on African-American spiritual and similarities to world music.

  • Repertoire follows the genre's evolution from traditional African call and response to contemporary art music.

  • Features original music written by Jeff Scott and Valerie Coleman

  • Q & A

 

High School/Collegiate Programs for Music Students

Includes all of the above activities plus the following:

Thinking Outside of the Box: A Masterclass* — time TBD

  • Introductory piece(s) by Imani Winds

  • Dialogue/Q & A between students and Imani Winds, about life and career as professional musicians, entrepreneurial aspect of Imani Winds

  • Students to perform for Imani Winds in group or individual instrument setting

High School Band/Orchestra Class — time TBD

  • All of the above activities, if requested

  • Sit-in with the large ensemble. Discussion regarding better wind playing techniques

Private Instruction — time TBD

Chamber Music Coaching — time TBD

  • Individual members of Imani Winds coach groups

  • Mixed ensembles permitted (strings, brass, winds, etc.)

* Masterclasses: A part of our mission is to spread the music by composers of color in hopes that these works will eventually become a part of standard repertoire. In addition to the standard repertoire chamber groups perform in masterclass settings, we would encourage students to research and perform works of diverse heritages for our masterclasses.

 

Suggested Pieces for Masterclasses* (Wind Quintet Only)

Imani Winds' masterclasses welcome all wind quintet instrument combinations and repertoire. The suggested pieces are only a guide.

High School Level

  • Irving Fine - Partita

  • Valerie Coleman - Umoja

  • William Grant Still - Summerland & Miniatures

  • Paul Taffanel - Quintet

  • Malcolm Arnold - Three Shanties

College Level

The full wind quintet repertoire is suggested. We also welcome pieces of African and Latin Heritage written for wind quintet and other combinations, such as the following:

  • Paquito D'Rivera - Aires Tropicales & Wapango

  • Lalo Shifrin - La Nouvelle Orleans

  • Heitor Villa-Lobos — Quintetto en Forme de Choros

  • Valerie Coleman — Concerto (available at International Opus)

  • Astor Piazzolla arr. Jeff Scott - Libertango

Community Concerts and "Informances"

Imani Winds offers an array of community outreach concerts and "informances" or informal performances. These concerts may be in alternative venues such as schools, churches, libraries, senior citizens centers, etc. They are designed to be very inclusive of all ages and does not require any previous musical knowledge from the audience ~ the intention being to bring the arts TO the community. Imani Winds will work with a presenter to tailor a program for the specific needs of their community and audiences.