Celebrating 10 Years of Akropolis by Commissioning 10 Composers

Support Akropolis’ Legacy & 10-Year Anniversary Projects
Fundraising Goal: $10,000

On April 9, 2009, the Akropolis Reed Quintet gave its first-ever performance as undergraduate students at the University of Michigan. A decade later, we’ve performed everywhere from Alaska to Abu Dhabi, premiered more than 50 works, built our own festival, created a sustainable nonprofit organization, and transformed the reed quintet from a hidden gem into a chamber music staple. Because of your support, encouragement, and belief, we are prepared for a second decade of award-winning music and community engagement. Thank you for helping shape our legacy!

In celebration of our 10-year anniversary, this season we are commissioning 10 composers, including: a chamber concerto by Jenni Brandon with guest bassoonist Monica Ellis of Imani Winds; Steven Snowden’s, “Sprocket,” for Akropolis and a rideable percussion bicycle; a 25-minute masterwork by Jeffrey Scott inspired by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History; a work with live projection mapping by Grammy nominated Pascal Le Boeuf; and a new work by Detroit high school student and Akropolis mentee, Kurton Harrison.

To bring this celebration home, we will premiere the first-ever concerto for reed quintet and wind band by Roshanne Etezady in collaboration with University of Michigan Symphony Band director and longtime Akropolis mentor, Professor Michael Haithcock. Professor Haithcock shares the following:

“Over the past decade, the Akropolis Quintet has grown from a great idea into a great ensemble. Their cutting-edge music making and community engagement is leaving a remarkable legacy at many levels of accomplishment and service. I am pleased to help celebrate their legacy with this exciting collaboration!”

Stay tuned as we announce all 10 composers during the month of May!

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During our 10th anniversary season, we will appear at noteworthy series and festivals such as Mostly Modern, the Oneppo Series at Yale University, and the San Antonio Chamber Music Society. We will also release our 4th CD, Kinds of Light, featuring 2019 Pulitzer Prize finalist Michael Gilbertson and distinguished soprano Shara Nova.

This is our biggest, boldest, and most critical year yet, designed to build the momentum needed to sustain Akropolis for another decade. It is also our biggest budget year to date, and before this fiscal year ends on June 30th, we must raise $10,000 for next season’s groundbreaking projects. Donations from supporters like you comprise over 15% of our annual budgetyou are critical to securing Akropolis’ legacy.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today in honor of our historic milestone, and stay tuned for our official 19/20 season announcement to learn where you can hear Akropolis next year.

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Sincerely,

Matthew, Kari, Ryan, Andrew, and Tim

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