TGQ Commissions New Sextet!

In addition to performing new works by more than two dozen local and other living composers, TGQ commissioned Philadelphia’s Joseph Hallman to perform his imaginative sextet for quintet-plus-bass clarinet. A grant from the Montgomery County Arts & Humanities Council in 2010 made this possible.  A varied audience of mixed ethnicities, physical/mental capabilities (from group homes) and socio-economic classes enjoyed the Sunday performance at a Community Center in Wheaton, MD.  

August 24, 2010 - Radio Interview -- 89.3 FM

From 8:00 to 10:00 pm, WPFW’s Brother Ah interviewed TGQ bassoonist/founder Nancy Switkes and clarinetist Evan Solomon along with DC composer/Coltrane authority Andrew White.  During "The Collectors" segment of his show, host Brother Ah led a wonderful, surprise-filled discussion exploring the influences classical music has had on great jazz performers, such as Ron Carter and Thelonius Monk.

Hear the interview

February 24, 2009 - TGQ Gets WAMMIE Nomination!

In the rich cultural environment of the Washington, DC area, TGQ had the honor of being nominated for "Best Chamber Ensemble of 2009."  The WAMMIE awards are given based on votes by members for the finest rock 'n roll, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, folk and classical groups in the area.

November 5, 2005 - Birth of an Ensemble

The Georgetown Quintet was born from a strong desire of bassoonist Nancy Switkes to form a DC-area quintet.  From a rich twenty-nine summers in the mountains of Vermont, at the Chamber Music and Composers Forum of the East, she became enamored of the quintet/sextet woodwind repertoire.  Nancy called like-minded musicians with whom she could share artistic freedom in choosing pieces they would learn and perform. Having learned the standard repertoire in Vermont, Nancy preferred that this ensemble-to-be would tend toward the rarer finds.  After several combinations of players met in a three-month period to sight-read together and talk about common goals, The Georgetown Quintet was born. They excitedly prepared for their first concert at St. Matthew Presbyterian Church, Silver Spring, MD in November of 2005.