same family (brass, woodwinds, strings or percussion) and have performed
compositions from a single genre, most often, that of classical music.
The Five Families Ensemble expands on both these traditions by combining an
instrument from each of the four traditional groups and adding a fifth family, that of
the human voice. New compositions and arrangements that draw from American
roots music and both traditional and contemporary classical composers are scored
for the ensemble by Monk Rowe. The group moves seamlessly from Beethoven to
Brubeck to the Blues and presents their music in an informative and audience
friendly manner.
The members of The Five Families Ensemble are Liz Simchick (violin and vocal),
Scott Rutledge (trumpet, flugelhorn and vocal), Kristen Kopf (cello), Tom McGrath
(percussion and pump organ) and Monk Rowe (woodwinds and piano).
