Saturday, May 28 at 6pm
This event is FREE and open to the public

You wake alone, surrounded by miles of burning, sprawling desert, and soon discover the looming mountaintop that is your goal. Faced with rolling sand dunes, age-old ruins, caves and howling winds, your passage will not be an easy one. A cloaked avatar, you travel and explore this ancient, mysterious world alone, or with a stranger you meet along the way. While the goal is to get to the mountaintop, the experience is the discovery of who you are, the story of this place, and your purpose.

The Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble (praised by the New York Times for its “conviction, authority and finesse”) teams up with composer Austin Wintory to present an original, interactive live performance of his Grammy-nominated score to the video game Journey. Described as “the most beautiful game of its time” by IGN, critics have called Journey one of gaming’s crowning achievements. It is the fastest selling game to date on the Playstation Network.

Never the same each time it is played, Journey is an interactive parable, an anonymous online adventure to experience a person’s life passage and their intersections with others. In this unprecedented collaboration, live musicians respond to the actions of game players in real time on stage.

Sunday, May 22 at 3pm

Fifth House Ensemble concludes its 2021-2022 residency at the Epiphany Center for the Arts with a program entitled Realizing Freedom, featuring six newly commissioned works. The program is the culmination of a ten-month collaboration between the ensemble and composers Sofia Rocha, Nebal Maysaud, Missy Alvarez, Kyle Rivera, Brittany J. Green, and Lauren McCall. In the works, composers share experiences that range from uniquely personal to more universal quests for freedom

PROGRAM

When Walking Alone, Sofía Rocha
BABA BIDEN SAVES AMERIKA, Nebal Maysaud
What Kind of Times are These, Missy Alvarez
Limit – Release, Kyle Rivera
Thread and Pull, Brittany J. Green
Scribble Scratch, Lauren McCall

MUSICIANS

Yukie Ota, flute
Grace Hong, oboe
Elizandro Garcia-Montoya, clarinet
Galina Kiep, bassoon
Parker Nelson, horn
Khelsey Zarraga, violin
Mason Spencer, viola
Herine Koschak, cello
Josh Lambert, bass
Byeol Kim, piano

Saturday, May 17 at 7:30pm

Fifth House Ensemble performs a virtual program for New Music Chicago Presents.

From a quote by artist, Bob Thompson, whose work inspired the construction of this program:

“I paint many paintings that tell me slowly that I have something inside of me that is just bursting, twisting, sticking, spilling over to get out. Out into souls and mouths and eyes that have never seen before.”

Program
Matosinhos, Ricardo: Improviso, Op. 82 for Solo Horn
Schnyder, Daniel: Trio for Horn, Violin, and Piano, "Walden"
Roumain, Daniel Bernard: Filter (for solo violin)
Scott, Jeff: Un Abrazo para Sharon for Violin, Horn, and Piano
Brouwer, Leo: Pictures at Another Exhibition
Los desastres de la Guerra (Francisco de Goya) 
Pop construction (Robert Rauschenberg)

Musicians
Parker Nelson, horn
Khelsey Zarraga, violin
Jeremy Vigil, piano

Sunday, May 15 at 3pm

At a time when the environment is more threatened than ever with pollution and our life-giving waterways at risk, Fifth House Ensemble traces the life cycle of water from its metaphorical descent from the heavens as rain, to its long journey in streams and rivers informed by conservation experts and ecologists. Featuring works by two living recipients of the Pulitzer Prize - Caroline Shaw and John Luther Adams, alongside music inspired by First Peoples, this program asks what it would mean to return to a sacred conception in which humans are a part of nature rather than beings standing outside of its impact.

Program:
in manus tuas , Caroline Shaw (b. 1982)
Above Sunset Pass (from The Wind In High Places), John Luther Adams (b. 1953), arr. Alex Goodin
Lake Effect, Phillip Sink (b. 1982)
Nadiya, Reena Esmail (b. 1983)
Ocean Body, Jason Charney (b. 1990)
Variations on The River Meditation, Pauline Oliveros arr. Fifth House Ensemble
Quartet No. 2: Revolution, Marc Mellits (b. 1966)

Musicians:
Khelsey Zarraga, violin
Mason Spencer, viola
Herine Koschak, cello
Josh Lambert, bass

Rivers Empyrean and its related residency and partnership programs have been made possible with support from: Chamber Music America, through its Residency Endowment Fund; New Music USA, made possible by annual program support and/or endowment gifts from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts, The Fidelity Foundation, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Foundation & Anonymous; and a grant from the Paul R. Judy Center for Innovation and Research at the Eastman School of Music.

Saturday, May 14 from 12pm-10pm, performance time 1:45pm

In collaboration with the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago, Fifth House Ensemble curates a program celebrating the art and legacy of artist Bob Thompson. The program highlights similar inspirations of Thompson’s own work including musical representations of other visual artists such as Francisco de Goya, music influenced by New York City jazz clubs, and works by other artists of color. Fifth House collaborates with Nicole Bond, Jason Pallas and other members of the Smart Museum team to bring this interdisciplinary experience to life in a relevant, bespoke way for patrons and concert-goers alike.

PROGRAM
Ricardo Matosinhos: Improviso, Op. 82 for Solo Horn
Daniel Schnyder: Trio for Horn, Violin, and Piano, “Walden”
Daniel Bernard Roumain: Filter (solo violin)
Nina Simone: Blackbird, arr. Parker Nelson
Jeff Scott: Un Abrazo para Sharon
David Baker: Jazz Suite for Violin and Piano
Milton’s
Harlem, Saturday Night
Leo Brouwer: Pictures at Another Exhibition
Los desastres de la Guerra (Francisco de Goya)
Pop Construction (Robert Rauschenberg)

MUSICIANS
Parker Nelson, horn
Khelsey Zarraga, violin
Jeremy Vigil, piano

Thursday, May 12 at 2pm

At a time when the environment is more threatened than ever with pollution and our life-giving waterways at risk, Fifth House Ensemble traces the life cycle of water from its metaphorical descent from the heavens as rain, to its long journey in streams and rivers informed by conservation experts and ecologists. Featuring works by two living recipients of the Pulitzer Prize - Caroline Shaw and John Luther Adams, alongside music inspired by First Peoples, this program asks what it would mean to return to a sacred conception in which humans are a part of nature rather than beings standing outside of its impact.

Program:
in manus tuas , Caroline Shaw (b. 1982)
Above Sunset Pass (from The Wind In High Places), John Luther Adams (b. 1953), arr. Alex Goodin
Lake Effect, Phillip Sink (b. 1982)
Nadiya, Reena Esmail (b. 1983)
Ocean Body, Jason Charney (b. 1990)
Variations on The River Meditation, Pauline Oliveros arr. Fifth House Ensemble
Quartet No. 2: Revolution, Marc Mellits (b. 1966)

Musicians:
Khelsey Zarraga, violin
Mason Spencer, viola
Herine Koschak, cello
Josh Lambert, bass

Rivers Empyrean and its related residency and partnership programs have been made possible with support from: Chamber Music America, through its Residency Endowment Fund; New Music USA, made possible by annual program support and/or endowment gifts from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts, The Fidelity Foundation, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Foundation & Anonymous; and a grant from the Paul R. Judy Center for Innovation and Research at the Eastman School of Music.

Saturday, May 7 at 7pm

You wake alone, surrounded by miles of burning, sprawling desert, and soon discover the looming mountaintop that is your goal. Faced with rolling sand dunes, age-old ruins, caves and howling winds, your passage will not be an easy one. A cloaked avatar, you travel and explore this ancient, mysterious world alone, or with a stranger you meet along the way. While the goal is to get to the mountaintop, the experience is the discovery of who you are, the story of this place, and your purpose.

The Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble (praised by the New York Times for its “conviction, authority and finesse”) teams up with composer Austin Wintory to present an original, interactive live performance of his Grammy-nominated score to the video game Journey. Described as “the most beautiful game of its time” by IGN, critics have called Journey one of gaming’s crowning achievements. It is the fastest selling game to date on the Playstation Network.

Never the same each time it is played, Journey is an interactive parable, an anonymous online adventure to experience a person’s life passage and their intersections with others. In this unprecedented collaboration, live musicians respond to the actions of game players in real time on stage.

Friday, May 6 at 7:30pm

You wake alone, surrounded by miles of burning, sprawling desert, and soon discover the looming mountaintop that is your goal. Faced with rolling sand dunes, age-old ruins, caves and howling winds, your passage will not be an easy one. A cloaked avatar, you travel and explore this ancient, mysterious world alone, or with a stranger you meet along the way. While the goal is to get to the mountaintop, the experience is the discovery of who you are, the story of this place, and your purpose.

The Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble (praised by the New York Times for its “conviction, authority and finesse”) teams up with composer Austin Wintory to present an original, interactive live performance of his Grammy-nominated score to the video game Journey. Described as “the most beautiful game of its time” by IGN, critics have called Journey one of gaming’s crowning achievements. It is the fastest selling game to date on the Playstation Network.

Never the same each time it is played, Journey is an interactive parable, an anonymous online adventure to experience a person’s life passage and their intersections with others. In this unprecedented collaboration, live musicians respond to the actions of game players in real time on stage.

Earlier this week, ticket buyers alerted us that they were unable to purchase tickets to the Boca Raton shows. We were extremely disappointed to learn that our shows in Boca Raton on 4/24 were unexpectedly cancelled. All ticket holders will receive a full refund to their original method of payment.

Thursday, April 21, 7:30pm

Featuring new music arrangements for Fifth House Ensemble’s acoustic dectet, drum set, and electronics by Eric Roth with Chris Opperman, Undertale LIVE is more than just a concert; it’s a meeting place where fans join the quest by voting on each show’s unique storyline.

One of the most acclaimed video games of the past decade, solo developer Toby Fox's indie hit Undertale has enchanted a fanbase of nearly 4 million players worldwide through its heartwarming story, quirky characters, and Fox's own trailblazing musical score. Undertale introduces players to a secret world of monsters who were sealed underground long ago with an ingenious twist in perspective: players can resolve each encounter nonviolently, inviting us to empathize with those most different from ourselves.

“absolutely amazing” 

— Third Coast Review

“The experience was outstanding. Seeing Undertale Live was like sharing a fond memory with a group of friends.” 

— Doctors of Gaming

For more information, please visit www.undertalelive.com 

Friday, April 8 at 5pm

In collaboration with Sarah Becan and in partnership with the Association House of Chicago, Fifth House Ensemble presents a multimedia storytelling concert experience. Luna de Cuernos is a modern interpretation of a Puerto Rican folktale inspired by the true stories of Chicagoans and told through music and stunning illustrations.

Danger lurks in the garden…

Doña Yuiza’s garden is the pride and joy of the neighborhood. When mysterious destructive forces threaten her carefully tended yard one night, the entire community must pull together to protect it. Luna de Cuernos, a modern interpretation of a Puerto Rican folktale, is a story of a tight-knit group of friends and family under threat, and the risks they will take to defend all that they own.

Sunday, April 3 at 3pm

At a time when the environment is more threatened than ever with pollution and our life-giving waterways at risk, Fifth House Ensemble traces the life cycle of water from its metaphorical descent from the heavens as rain, to its long journey in streams and rivers informed by conservation experts and ecologists. Featuring works by two living recipients of the Pulitzer Prize - Caroline Shaw and John Luther Adams, alongside music inspired by First Peoples, this program asks what it would mean to return to a sacred conception in which humans are a part of nature rather than beings standing outside of its impact.

Program:
in manus tuas , Caroline Shaw (b. 1982)
Above Sunset Pass (from The Wind In High Places), John Luther Adams (b. 1953), arr. Alex Goodin
Ocean Body, Jason Charney (b. 1990)
Nadiya, Reena Esmail (b. 1983)
Lake Effect, Phillip Sink (b. 1982)
Quartet No. 2: Revolution, Marc Mellits (b. 1966)
Variations on The River Meditation Pauline Oliveros arr. Fifth House Ensemble

Musicians:
Khelsey Zarraga, violin
Mason Spencer, viola
Herine Koschak, cello
Josh Lambert, bass

Rivers Empyrean and its related residency and partnership programs have been made possible with support from: Chamber Music America, through its Residency Endowment Fund; New Music USA, made possible by annual program support and/or endowment gifts from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts, The Fidelity Foundation, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Foundation & Anonymous; and a grant from the Paul R. Judy Center for Innovation and Research at the Eastman School of Music.

Saturday, March 26 at 7PM

As our final concert of the TUTTI 2022 Festival, “We Are Good” is an experimental music/theater residency and performance process developed with writer/director and civic practice pioneer Michael Rohd and theater artist/practitioner Quenna Lené Barrett that explores the ways we as a community deal with the past and imagine our futures. Designed to foster authentic inquiry among audiences of varied social and political backgrounds, “We Are Good” uses techniques developed with Deep Listening practitioners Leila Ramagopal Pertl and Brian Pertl to bring strangers together through communal music-making in an original work that provokes participants to explore: What role should the past play in decisions about the future? How do past events shape us? What responsibility do we have for what happened before we were alive? How does a community make hard choices together? Who do we believe?

An open framework for the process of tackling difficult questions as a group, “We Are Good” includes Deep Listening and story circle residency sessions during the TUTTI 2022 week that invite discussion on moments of challenging collective decision-making, how past events shape current community decisions, and how people’s lived experience around that decision-making today differs based on their identity, economic reality, and culture.

The project culminates in a participatory public performance, which includes creative acts generated by participants through their residency across various departments at Denison.

Wednesday, March 23 at 7PM

You wake alone, surrounded by miles of burning, sprawling desert, and soon discover the looming mountaintop that is your goal. Faced with rolling sand dunes, age-old ruins, caves and howling winds, your passage will not be an easy one. A cloaked avatar, you travel and explore this ancient, mysterious world alone, or with a stranger you meet along the way. While the goal is to get to the mountaintop, the experience is the discovery of who you are, the story of this place, and your purpose. The Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble (praised by the New York Times for its “conviction, authority and finesse”) teams up with composer Austin Wintory to present an original, interactive live performance of his Grammy-nominated score to the video game Journey. Described as “the most beautiful game of its time” by IGN, critics have called Journey one of gaming’s crowning achievements. It is the fastest selling game to date on the Playstation Network. Never the same each time it is played, Journey is an interactive parable, an anonymous online adventure to experience a person’s life passage and their intersections with others. In this unprecedented collaboration, live musicians respond to the actions of game players in real time on stage.

TUTTI is a week-long festival celebrating new music and art, bringing artists across disciplines to Denison and the central Ohio community. This year’s festival features Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble, Denison’s Ensemble-in-Residence ETHEL, and other artists in a multitude of concerts.

COVID Policy information:  In addition to the Denison community,  we are currently able to welcome fully vaccinated members of the public.  You will be required to submit either your Denison D# or share your proof of vaccination when ordering your ticket. Family and Public ticket availability ends 24 hrs before the event.  At this time, masks are optional in the Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts.

All events and COVID policies are subject to change. 

Sunday, March 20 at 3pm

Praised by the New York Times for its “conviction, authority, and finesse,” the Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble harnesses the collaborative spirit of chamber music to reach beyond the traditionally-perceived limits of classical music. 5HE curates this series of intimate performances at Epiphany Center for the Arts, celebrating works new and old, amplifying voices of the less-heard, and delighting in the sheer joy of sound exploration with all who come along for the ride.

Sunday, February 20 at 3pm

Praised by the New York Times for its “conviction, authority, and finesse,” the Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble harnesses the collaborative spirit of chamber music to reach beyond the traditionally-perceived limits of classical music. 5HE curates this series of intimate performances at Epiphany Center for the Arts, celebrating works new and old, amplifying voices of the less-heard, and delighting in the sheer joy of sound exploration with all who come along for the ride.

Saturday, February 12, 8pm

Doors open at 7pm

Featuring new music arrangements for Fifth House Ensemble’s acoustic dectet, drum set, and electronics by Eric Roth with Chris Opperman, Undertale LIVE is more than just a concert; it’s a meeting place where fans join the quest by voting on each show’s unique storyline.

One of the most acclaimed video games of the past decade, solo developer Toby Fox’s indie hit Undertale has enchanted a fanbase of nearly 4 million players worldwide through its heartwarming story, quirky characters, and Fox’s own trailblazing musical score. Undertale introduces players to a secret world of monsters who were sealed underground long ago with an ingenious twist in perspective: players can resolve each encounter nonviolently, inviting us to empathize with those most different from ourselves.

“absolutely amazing”—Third Coast Review

Friday, February 11, 7:30pm

Featuring new music arrangements for Fifth House Ensemble’s acoustic dectet, drum set, and electronics by Eric Roth with Chris Opperman, Undertale LIVE is more than just a concert; it’s a meeting place where fans join the quest by voting on each show’s unique storyline.

One of the most acclaimed video games of the past decade, solo developer Toby Fox’s indie hit Undertale has enchanted a fanbase of nearly 4 million players worldwide through its heartwarming story, quirky characters, and Fox’s own trailblazing musical score. Undertale introduces players to a secret world of monsters who were sealed underground long ago with an ingenious twist in perspective: players can resolve each encounter nonviolently, inviting us to empathize with those most different from ourselves.

“absolutely amazing”—Third Coast Review

This event is free and open to the public.

Sunday, January 30 at 3pm

Praised by the New York Times for its “conviction, authority, and finesse,” the Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble harnesses the collaborative spirit of chamber music to reach beyond the traditionally-perceived limits of classical music. 5HE curates this series of intimate performances at Epiphany Center for the Arts, celebrating works new and old, amplifying voices of the less-heard, and delighting in the sheer joy of sound exploration with all who come along for the ride.

Sunday, December 5 at 3pm

Praised by the New York Times for its “conviction, authority, and finesse,” the Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble harnesses the collaborative spirit of chamber music to reach beyond the traditionally-perceived limits of classical music. 5HE curates this series of intimate performances at Epiphany Center for the Arts, celebrating works new and old, amplifying voices of the less-heard, and delighting in the sheer joy of sound exploration with all who come along for the ride.

Sunday, November 14 at 3pm

At a time when the environment is more threatened than ever with pollution and our life-giving waterways at risk, Fifth House Ensemble traces the life cycle of water from its metaphorical descent from the heavens as rain, to its long journey in streams and rivers informed by conservation experts and ecologists. Featuring works by two living recipients of the Pulitzer Prize - Caroline Shaw and John Luther Adams, alongside music inspired by First Peoples, this program asks what it would mean to return to a sacred conception in which humans are a part of nature rather than beings standing outside of its impact.

Grace Hong, oboe
Khelsey Zarraga, violin
Mason Spencer, viola
Herine Koschak, cello
David Chapman-Orr, bass

Rivers Empyrean and its related residency and partnership programs have been made possible with support from: Chamber Music America, through its Residency Endowment Fund; New Music USA, made possible by annual program support and/or endowment gifts from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts, The Fidelity Foundation, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Foundation & Anonymous; and a grant from the Paul R. Judy Center for Innovation and Research at the Eastman School of Music.

Sunday, October 17 at 3pm

Praised by the New York Times for its “conviction, authority, and finesse,” the Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble harnesses the collaborative spirit of chamber music to reach beyond the traditionally-perceived limits of classical music. 5HE curates this series of intimate performances at Epiphany Center for the Arts, celebrating works new and old, amplifying voices of the less-heard, and delighting in the sheer joy of sound exploration with all who come along for the ride.

Sunday, September 19 at 2pm

At a time when the environment is more threatened than ever with pollution and our life-giving waterways at risk, Fifth House Ensemble traces the life cycle of water from its metaphorical descent from the heavens as rain, to its long journey in streams and rivers informed by conservation experts and ecologists. Featuring a new commission by Fresh Inc Festival alumnus Patrick O’Malley driven by ecological data from Friends of the Chicago River, a new commission by Shawn Okpebholo that celebrates water as a precious resource by transforming it into a musical instrument alongside music inspired by First Peoples, this program asks what it would mean to return to a sacred conception in which humans are a part of nature rather than beings standing outside of its impact.

PROGRAM:
John Luther Adams, arr. Alex Goodin — The Wind in High Places
I. Above Sunset Pass
Alexander Miller — Glacier Blue
Brent Michael Davids — In Wisconsin Woods
Mason Bates — Red River
Shawn Okpebholo — Fractured Water (World Premiere)
Patrick O’Malley — Rivers Empyrean (World Premiere)
Dan Visconti — Low Country Haze
*Interstitial Sound Design by Beth Bradfish

Jenny Shin, flute
Grace Hong, oboe
Elizandro Garcia-Montoya, clarinet
Galina Kiep, bassoon
Parker Nelson, horn
Khelsey Zarraga, violin
Mason Spencer, viola
Jason Niehoff, bass
Byeol Kim, piano

Rivers Empyrean and its related residency and partnership programs have been made possible with support from: Chamber Music America, through its Residency Endowment Fund; New Music USA, made possible by annual program support and/or endowment gifts from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts, The Fidelity Foundation, The Rogers & Hammerstein Foundation & Anonymous; and a grant from the Paul R. Judy Center for Innovation and Research at the Eastman School of Music.

This event is part of the 2021 Ear Taxi Festival

Wednesday, September 1 at 7pm

Featuring new music arrangements for Fifth House Ensemble’s acoustic dectet, drum set, and electronics by Eric Roth with Chris Opperman, Undertale LIVE is more than just a concert; it’s a meeting place where fans join the quest by voting on each show’s unique storyline.

One of the most acclaimed video games of the past decade, solo developer Toby Fox’s indie hit Undertale has enchanted a fanbase of nearly 4 million players worldwide through its heartwarming story, quirky characters, and Fox’s own trailblazing musical score. Undertale introduces players to a secret world of monsters who were sealed underground long ago with an ingenious twist in perspective: players can resolve each encounter nonviolently, inviting us to empathize with those most different from ourselves.

“absolutely amazing”—Third Coast Review

Sunday, August 29 at 8pm

Hailed as “absolutely amazing” by Third Coast Review and “a transformative experience” by Game Grooves, Undertale LIVE is more than just a concert; it’s a meeting place where fans join the quest by voting on each show’s unique storyline. The show features musical arrangements for Fifth House Ensemble by Eric Roth with Chris Opperman, with audience choice driving the action. One of the most acclaimed video games of the past decade, solo developer Toby Fox's indie hit Undertale has enchanted a fanbase of nearly 4 million players worldwide through its heartwarming story, quirky characters, and Fox's own trailblazing musical score. Undertale introduces players to a secret world of monsters who were sealed underground long ago with an ingenious twist in perspective: players can resolve each encounter nonviolently, inviting us to empathize with those most different from ourselves.

Saturday, August 28 at 8pm

Hailed as “absolutely amazing” by Third Coast Review and “a transformative experience” by Game Grooves, Undertale LIVE is more than just a concert; it’s a meeting place where fans join the quest by voting on each show’s unique storyline. The show features musical arrangements for Fifth House Ensemble by Eric Roth with Chris Opperman, with audience choice driving the action. One of the most acclaimed video games of the past decade, solo developer Toby Fox's indie hit Undertale has enchanted a fanbase of nearly 4 million players worldwide through its heartwarming story, quirky characters, and Fox's own trailblazing musical score. Undertale introduces players to a secret world of monsters who were sealed underground long ago with an ingenious twist in perspective: players can resolve each encounter nonviolently, inviting us to empathize with those most different from ourselves.