Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

Zeitgeist is a contemporary classical music ensemble based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group was founded in 1997 by flutist Pat O'Keefe, clarinetist Shannon Wettstein, pianist Nicola Melville, and percussionist Heather Barringer. Since its inception, Zeitgeist has been dedicated to performing new music by living composers, as well as works by 20th-century masters. The members of Zeitgeist are all accomplished musicians in their own right. Pat O'Keefe has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the New World Symphony, among others. Shannon Wettstein has played with the Minnesota Opera, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Nicola Melville has won numerous awards for her piano playing, including the Artists International Competition and the Joanna Hodges International Piano Competition. Heather Barringer has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Minnesota Opera. Zeitgeist's first major performance was in 1998, when the group played at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. The concert featured works by John Cage, Lou Harrison, and Terry Riley, among others. The group's unique instrumentation and eclectic repertoire quickly gained them a following in the Twin Cities music scene. Over the years, Zeitgeist has performed at numerous festivals and venues across the United States and abroad. In 2001, the group played at the Bang on a Can Marathon in New York City, sharing the stage with such luminaries as Steve Reich and Philip Glass. In 2003, Zeitgeist traveled to Russia to perform at the Moscow Autumn Festival, where they played works by American composers such as John Adams and Steve Reich. In addition to their live performances, Zeitgeist has also released several recordings. Their first album, "Here and Now," was released in 2000 and featured works by Minnesota composers such as Libby Larsen and Janika Vandervelde. Their second album, "In Bone-Colored Light," was released in 2004 and featured works by composers from around the world, including Japan, Australia, and the United States. Zeitgeist has received numerous awards and accolades for their work. In 2002, the group was awarded a McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians, which provided them with funding to commission new works. In 2005, Zeitgeist was named "Best Chamber Ensemble" by the City Pages, a Minneapolis-based alternative newspaper. In 2010, the group was awarded a prestigious Bush Foundation Fellowship, which allowed them to travel to Europe to study contemporary music. Despite their success, Zeitgeist remains committed to their mission of promoting new music and supporting living composers. The group has commissioned over 100 new works from composers around the world, and they continue to seek out new and innovative music to perform. In conclusion, Zeitgeist is a contemporary classical music ensemble based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1997, the group has gained a following for their unique instrumentation and eclectic repertoire. Over the years, Zeitgeist has performed at numerous festivals and venues across the United States and abroad, and they have received numerous awards and accolades for their work. Despite their success, Zeitgeist remains committed to promoting new music and supporting living composers.

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