The Breaking Winds Bassoon Quartet is an artist-run creative project by
bassoonists Brittany Harrington-Smith, Yuki Katayama, Kara LaMoure, and Lauren
Yu Ziemba. Their repertoire disregards genre, with favorites from the worlds of
classical, pop, jazz, soundtrack, and folk music adapted for the ensemble by its
members. Known for their stage antics, the BWBQ use choreography, accessory
instruments, props, and skits to add theatrical elements to their performances.
The ensemble’s mission is threefold: to navigate the intersection of classical
music, pop culture, and comedy, to expand the scope of bassoon performance,
and to create meaningful bonds with audiences. Now in their 7th season, the
Breaking Winds maintain a dynamic schedule of performances at community
venues, festivals, and schools throughout the world.
The highlight of the Breaking Winds’ 2015-2016 season was a tour to China, Hong Kong, and Japan, where they shared the stage with a bassoon ensemble in Hong Kong, staged a concert in a Shanghai gallery space, and collaborated with Chinese beatboxers. Recent domestic tours have taken them to New York, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. In June 2016, they joined the artist roster of the Fox Products Corporation, the premier manufacturer of bassoons in the United States.
In 2013, the Breaking Winds premiered their commissioned concerto, Scott A. Switzer’s Breaking Out for quartet and wind ensemble, with the Yale Concert Band. They have since performed as soloists with the West Point Band, Eastman Wind Ensemble, and Northshore Concert Band. In August 2014, Breaking Out was a featured concerto at the International Double Reed Society Conference in New York City.
Advocates of creative music education, the Breaking Winds have presented master classes at Southern Methodist University, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Sichuan Conservatory. They have been guest artist-teachers with the Chenery Double Reed Ensemble and the University of Missouri Bassoon Ensemble, and they have served as clinicians at the music education conferences of Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Missouri, and Oregon.
The Breaking Winds’ quirky affability lends them a global following on social media. To date their Youtube channel has garnered over a million views and has received buzz from NPR and MTV. Online support has led to some of the quartet’s most memorable gigs, including the filming of a reality show at Brooklyn “nerd bar” The Way Station and the Nathan’s Famous 2016 Hot Dog Eating Contest.
THE MUSIC INSTIGATOR PODCASTSeptember 2015
TEDx SMUQuartet-A-Tete With The Breaking WindsApril 2014
THE DOUBLE REED JOURNALAn Interview With The Breaking Winds Bassoon QuartetJune 2013
THE ROCHESTER REVIEWThe Eastman EvolutionNovember-December, 2012
THE GLASS BLOGThe Breaking Winds Bassoon QuartetJune 19, 2012
ARTS JOURNAL BLOGKara Goes ViralMay 28, 2012
THE HECKLERBreaking Trail (And Winds) For Classical Music In The 21St CenturyJanuary 20, 2011
NPR
The Clown Of The Orchestra Takes Its Revenge
September 4, 2011
General Consulate of the United States – Chengdu, China
The New Yorker
billboard.com
WQXR Radio
Baltimore Sun
BuzzFeed
ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS
ONLINE MENTIONS
CONCERTS
The BWBQ perform as a quartet in sets ranging from
45 to 90 minutes long. Repertoire is custom-tailored
to the venue to include a dynamic mix of genres,
movement, and accessories. Interactions between
performers and audience establish an intimate
atmosphere at each concert. On special occasions, a
drummer joins the quartet to perform contemporary
popular songs. Past venues include Joe’s Pub (New
York City), Klyde Warren Park (Dallas), Flamingo
Shanghai, and Forbidden City Concert Hall (Beijing),
as well as a broad range of community spaces
around the world.
“The U.S. Consulate in Chengdu asked
The Breaking Winds to participate in its public outreach in order to show the
Chinese public a modern and unique
side of American musical culture. These talented
young women did not disappoint,
entertaining local audiences with their witty renditions and
musical talent.m
-Andrew Ou, Public Affairs Officer,
Consulate General of the United States of America,
Chengdu
”
REPERTOIRE HIGHLIGHTS
Claire de Lune - C. Debussy, arr. Y. Katayama
Rondo Alla Bassoona - W. A. Mozart, arr. B. Harrington
Pièce en form de “Habanero” - M. Ravel, arr. K. LaMoure
Prelude from Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major - J.S. Bach, arr. L. Yu Ziemba
“The Breaking Winds are about more than entertainment. They also strive to convey that music is meant
to be interacted with and that it doesn’t
need to be confined to one genre or
another.m
-Laura Pawlowski, The Double Reed (IDRS)
”
COLLABORATIONS
The BWBQ love to share the stage with fellow
musicians. Their commissioned concerto for four
bassoons and wind ensemble, Scott A. Switzer’s
Breaking Out, has received performances with five
bands across the United States. As soloists with
orchestra, they prefer to borrow other instruments’
concerti, including Schumann’s Konzertstück for
horns and Anderson’s Bugler’s Holiday for trumpets.
When visiting students, the quartet joins forces with
bassoon ensembles from the middle school through
conservatory levels to choreograph large group
pieces.
REPERTOIRE HIGHLIGHTS
Bassonist’s Holiday with Wind Ensemble - Leroy Anderson
Serenade for a Picket Fence with Wind Ensemble - Norman Leyden
Concerto for Bassoon Quartet and Wind Ensemble - Scott A. Switzer
Konzertstück for Four Horns and Orchestra, Op.86 - Robert Schumann
“Not only is it creative and ingenious
but they are great bassoonists too! It’s
outstanding!m
-Lezlee Masson, bassoonist, Air Force Band
”
CLINICS
Besides serving as ambassadors for their all-too-
neglected instrument, the BWBQ advocate for
creative musicianship among current and future arts
leaders. To this end, they present clinics at conferences
and universities based on their experience as a
touring ensemble. For music educators, topics
include bassoon methods, chamber music, and
arranging. For aspiring music entrepreneurs, topics
include organizational strategies, out-of-the-box
thinking, and marketing.
REPERTOIRE HIGHLIGHTS
Whisper Key Rock - K. LaMoure
Beat It! - Michael Jackson, arr. L. Ziemba
1812 Overture - P.I. Tchaikovsky, arr. K. LaMoure
Bolero Bassoon Parts - M. Ravel, arr. The BWBQ
“In their combination of performing,
arranging, composing, and technological savvy the BWBQ
demonstrate hyphenated
musicianship. Music educators might consider helping
their students develop similar skills,
knowledge, and dispositions of
how they might engage as musicians
in contemporary society....
-Evan Tobias, Assistant Professor of Music
Education, Arizona State University
”
EDUCATIONAL
In schools, a 30-60 minute concert program is tailored
to the needs of each class or program. Younger
students learn about instrument design and how
music plays a role in their daily lives. Older students
are offered ways to enrich their own education with
creativity and play. Students and teachers take part
in the performance as conductors, percussionists,
and even as featured actors! A quick Q & A session
wraps it up.
REPERTOIRE HIGHLIGHTS
BWBQ Theme Song - Y. Katayama
Last Tango in Bayreuth - Peter Schickele
Forget You! - Cee Lo Green, arr. L. Ziemba
Disney Princess Party - Various, arr. K. LaMoure
MEDIA
Breaking In features an eclectic playlist of the Breaking
Winds’ favorites. At times silly and at times touching,
the group’s debut album reflects the character of the
ensemble. Popular music is a prominent feature of
the album, with songs from Disney films and Lady
Gaga among the most popular tracks. It is available
through most online music vendors and streaming
services.
A selection of the BWBQ’s original compositions
and transcriptions are published through TrevCo
Music Publishing. Titles include Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor BWV 565, Debussy’s Le Petit Nègre (Cakewalk), and Yuki Katayama’s Le Pètomane. Sheet
music can be purchased through TrevCo’s website or
directly from the Breaking Winds.
“The bassoon has also made the move
into the world of pop. There’s a quartet of
classically trained bassoonists that
covered Lady Gaga’s greatest hits...That’s
right—bassoon on MTV!m
-NPR, All Things Considered
”
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
International Double Reed Society Conferences - New York, Tokyo, Georgia
2016 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest (Coney Island, New York)
International Beijing Bassoon Festival
Sound Live Bar - Chengdu, China
The Fringe Club - Hong Kong
FL:EX Gallery – Shanghai
University of Missouri Guest Artist Series
Mansfield University
Arcade, NY Good Friends Making Great Music Series
Joe’s Pub - NYC
RECENT PERFORMANCES
PERFORMANCE COLLABORATIONS
Bassoonion (Hong Kong)
University of Missouri Bassoon Ensemble
Eastman School of Music alumni bassoon band
Eastman Wind Ensemble
Yale Band
Southern Methodist University Wind Ensemble
West Point Band
Missouri Bandmasters Association
Sichuan Conservatory
Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra
Music Education Association Conference - Oregon, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire
University of Missouri
Public schools tour - Dallas-Fort Worth, New Haven, Michigan
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH