EKKLÉSIA REED QUINTET
A stylistically unique music ensemble, the Ekklésia Reed Quintet has taken over the chamber music scene in north-east Ohio. Established in 2019 as Ohio’s first professional reed quintet, ERQ features all local north-east Ohio musicians who are also members of the award-winning and professional wind ensemble Cleveland Winds. Though the chamber group is relatively new, they have made a lasting impression on an international level when they were added to the Worldwide Reed Quintet Network established and managed by the first ever of the chamber genre: Calefax Reed Quintet.
As the reed quintet genre is relatively new, you may be wondering, “what is a reed quintet?” - The Reed Quintet consists of various reed instruments that create an unique and rich timbre. The ensemble generally consists of Oboe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Bassoon, and Bass Clarinet and sometimes also features English Horn and Soprano Saxophone.
ERQ has been featured on the airwaves of local radio stations, multiple university faculty concert programs, and a wide range of free public concerts with the Cleveland Public Library, Hudson Historical Society, and Judson Manor to name a few.
Coming together to promote and collaborate with local artists, ERQ prides themselves on debuting and commissioning new works by local composers such as Buck McDaniel, Dr. Jack Ballard, Dr. Stephen Stanziano, Colin Holter, Christopher Auerbach-Brown, and Dr. Matthew Saunders to name a few.
SCOTT LITTLE
Oboe/English Horn
Oboist Scott Little teaches music in the Brunswick City School District. Scott received his degree in music education at Kent State, where he studied oboe with Danna Sundet, composition with Dr. Frank Wiley and Dr. Adam Roberts, and voice with Dr. Jay White. Scott’s compositions have been performed by ensembles such as the Black Squirrel Winds, the Cleveland Chamber Choir, and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony. "The Story of an Hour," Scott's chamber opera, was praised by Cleveland Classical's Daniel Hathaway as being "a signal achievement." Scott was also the 2019 winner of the Winifred Collins Scholarship for Music Education as part of the Tuesday Musical Association Scholarship Competition. Scott continues to perform and now combines his composing and performing skills to create entirely self-made content. To contact Scott and see more, visit www.ScottLittleMusic.wixsite.com/mysite.
WILLOW DIGIACOMO
Clarinet
Willow DiGiacomo is a woodwind specialist that has performed and taught all over NE Ohio. She holds degrees in Music Education from the University of Mount Union, as well as Clarinet Performance and Wind Band Conducting degrees from the University of Akron.Willow has taught at University of Mount Union, Hiram College, Kent State University: Stark, and Central Christian School. Her performance opportunities have included Ekklesia Reed Quintet, Tuscarawas Philharmonic Orchestra, Danjo Jazz Orchestra, Trinity Gospel Big Band, Cleveland Winds, Veneer Clarinet Choir, and many others. She spends her free time crocheting at home with her can, Amaryllis, and training her Quarter Horse, Rocky. Willow will be relocating to North Carolina this summer to work as a Field Guide for at-risk children.
THOMAS LEMPNER
Alto Saxophone/Soprano Saxophone
Thomas Lempner, saxophone, is a member of the music faculty at Cleveland State University and Notre Dame College. He serves as a Trustee on the Medina County Arts Council and facilitates annual grant-funded therapeutic music workshops with at-risk youth for ORMACO. Lempner also performs as a member of Neo-Tessares Saxophone Quartet, Cleveland Winds, Akron Symphonic Winds, Hexapod, and Night Owls. He is looking forward to premiering new works by Jack Ballard, Matthew Saunders, and Dave Morgan. The saxophonist is a Conn-Selmer Performing Artist.
PHILIP KISH
Basson
Philip Kish has been an accompanist and performer since age 10. Originally trained on piano and violin, he began playing bassoon at age 12. Since then he has toured with various groups to Europe, China, Brazil, and South Africa and has been asked to perform the Mozart and Weber concertos as well as the Andante and Hungarian rondo by Weber. Playing in Suburban Symphony, Chagrin Studio Orchestra, Lakeland Civic Band, Cleveland Winds, and Akron Symphonic Winds, he is active in the Northeast Ohio music community.
TRAVIS HOGUE-SMITH
Bass Clarinet
Clarinetist Travis Hogue-Smith maintains a progressing and versatile career not only as an artist, but also as an artistic administrator and creative designer. He currently holds positions with the Cleveland Winds, Ekklésia Reed Quintet, Cleveland Repertory Orchestra, and the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival.
As an artistic administrator, Travis is currently the Director of Operations and project manager for the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival, Marketing and Social Media Director for the Ekklésia Reed Quintet, and has served as the Orchestra Manager for BlueWater Chamber Orchestra and assistant to the Chair of Fine Arts at Barry University. He has been a guest performer with the Cleveland Women's Orchestra, The Cleveland Opera, and the South Beach Chamber Ensemble orchestra.