Date: September 19, 2002
Contact: Karin Schilt
Phone: (909) 785-2001
E-mail: pr@lasierra.edu

La Sierra University's Department of Music has named the nationally renowned Calico Winds to the post of faculty wind quintet in residence, featuring them in three recitals on the La Sierra campus in the 2002-2003 season.

Taking wind music to the forefront of the chamber music world, Calico Winds (Eileen Holt Helwig, flute; Rong-Huey Liu, oboe; Kathryn Nevin, clarinet; Theresa Treuenfels, bassoon; Rachel Berry, horn) shatters the stereotypical stodgy image of the conventional wind quintet. They chose the name "Calico" to reflect the many colors and textures offered by the sounds of the ensemble. The group performs many styles of music, incorporating an imaginative approach to standard literature with an exploration of popular and non-traditional works. The Los Angeles Times has noted that Calico Winds "proceeds from Bach to Zappa, through a broad swath of composers, projecting solid musical values all the way. It has crossed all the style lines and gotten away with it."

While performing at the highest level of artistry, the ensemble shares the passion of the music, fully engaging the listener. Calico Winds strips away the usual pretensions of a classical music concert so no one has to worry about not "getting it." And instead of experiencing winds as the far away instruments in the back of the orchestra, the audience comes away from a Calico Winds concert with a new idea of what wind instruments can do, transformed from passive skeptics into wind chamber music enthusiasts.

Their inaugural concert, "Romantic Passage," will be held at 7:30 pm on Sunday, September 29 at Hole Memorial Auditorium, La Sierra University campus. Anchoring the program of European and American romantic music is Ludwig Thuille's Sextet with pianist Vivian Liu, which they will also perform at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall in October. Other highlights of the program include works of famed American composers Edward MacDowell and Arthur Foote arranged for Calico Winds by Los Angeles composer Ronald Hess. They will perform in the Brandstater Gallery chamber music series at La Sierra University on February 16, 2003 and again on March 9 with a program of Women composers in celebration National Women's Month.

In addition to their concerts at La Sierra, Calico Winds will be involved in community outreach through concerts, master classes, and workshops in area schools. Barbara Favorito, chair of the music department at La Sierra University says that "having the Calico Winds as the resident woodwind quintet is a superb addition to our music performance program. They bring a new level of artistry and excitement to our chamber music program."

For more information, contact LSU department of music: (909) 785-2036; e-mail: bfavorit@lasierra.edu or Calico Winds' Rachel Berry: (818) 260-9504; e-mail: music@calicowinds.com. You can also visit the Calico Winds' website: www.calicowinds.com.

# # #

. . . . . . . . . . .