The Washington Square Ensemble was a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1984 in New York City. The ensemble was known for its unique blend of classical and contemporary music, and its ability to captivate audiences with its innovative and dynamic performances. The founding members of the Washington Square Ensemble were violinist Catherine Tait, cellist Stephanie Cummins, and pianist David Oei. The three musicians had met while studying at the Juilliard School of Music, and they shared a passion for classical music and a desire to create a new kind of ensemble that would push the boundaries of traditional classical music. The ensemble's name was inspired by the Washington Square Park in New York City, which was a hub of artistic and cultural activity in the 1980s. The park was a gathering place for musicians, artists, and performers, and it was a symbol of the creative energy and spirit of the city. The Washington Square Ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its innovative and dynamic performances, which combined classical music with elements of jazz, rock, and other contemporary styles. The ensemble's repertoire included works by classical composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms, as well as contemporary composers such as Philip Glass, John Adams, and Steve Reich. One of the highlights of the Washington Square Ensemble's career was its performance at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in 1986. The ensemble performed a program of works by contemporary composers, including Glass's "String Quartet No. 2" and Adams's "Shaker Loops." The performance was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish the ensemble as one of the leading classical music groups in the United States. Over the years, the Washington Square Ensemble continued to perform at major venues and festivals around the world, including the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, the Spoleto Festival in Italy, and the Tanglewood Music Festival in Massachusetts. The ensemble also collaborated with a wide range of artists and musicians, including the jazz pianist Chick Corea, the rock musician Lou Reed, and the composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. In addition to its performances, the Washington Square Ensemble was also recognized for its recordings. The ensemble released several albums on the Nonesuch Records label, including "Washington Square Ensemble Plays Philip Glass" and "Washington Square Ensemble Plays Mozart." The albums received critical acclaim and helped to further establish the ensemble's reputation as a leading classical music group. Despite its success, the Washington Square Ensemble disbanded in 1999, after 15 years of performing together. The members of the ensemble went on to pursue other musical projects and careers, but their legacy lives on through their recordings and the memories of their dynamic and innovative performances. In conclusion, the Washington Square Ensemble was a classical music ensemble that was known for its innovative and dynamic performances, which combined classical music with elements of jazz, rock, and other contemporary styles. The ensemble was founded in 1984 by violinist Catherine Tait, cellist Stephanie Cummins, and pianist David Oei, and it quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading classical music groups in the United States.

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