In the Loop
General News : Jan 11, 2016

The Raging Reeds perform world premieres

The Raging Reeds were selected to perform two world premieres at the 2015 International Double Reed Society Annual Conference, held in Tokyo, Japan, August 15-20, 2015. This unique ensemble of oboe, english horn, clarinet and bassoon commissions pieces that feature the various tone colors of single and double reed instruments. The two pieces premiered in Japan were written specifically for The Raging Reeds--Piazzolla’s Five Tango Sensations (originally for string quartet) arranged by Jessica Wilkins and Suite for Winds by current UF Ph.D. composition student Michael Polo.

Building on the overwhelming success of their performance in Japan, plans are being set for The Raging Reeds to perform two new works written for the ensemble at the 2016 IDRS Annual Conference, to be held at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, in June. This concert will highlight compositions by Dr. Paul Richards, UF professor of composition, and Dr. Peter Lane, professor of composition at the University of Georgia.

Founders of The Raging Reeds are Dr. Leslie Odom, associate professor of oboe and theory, Kristin Naigus, MM in Oboe Performance, Peter Geldrich, MM in Clarinet Performance and Dr. Shannon Lowe, MM in Bassoon Performance. Dr. Odom is in her 27th year of teaching at UF. Naigus performs throughout the state of Florida on oboe, English horn and oboe d’amour. Geldrich and Dr. Lowe are on the music faculty at Valdosta State University, in Valdosta, Georgia.