Founded in 1966, the Camerata Woodwind Quintet was the first chamber music ensemble in residence at Western Illinois University. Over the past half century, the group has presented performances and clinics throughout the region, the nation, and the world.
The current members of the Camerata Woodwind Quintet are:
The Camerata Woodwind Quintet’s mission is to engage with students and the community through the medium of music. Our core goals are to educate and strive for excellence, creativity, and inclusivity in our efforts to connect with the diverse student body through performances, workshops, and outreach initiatives. The ensemble aims to create memorable experiences, foster meaningful connections, and contribute to the cultural enrichment of our campus and community by sharing our passion for chamber music.
Dedicated to serving the WIU campus and engaging the community, every year the Camerata Woodwind Quintet visits schools throughout the Tri-States region of Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. The Camerata engages with students through performances, clinics, and workshops.
The Camerata Woodwind Quintet has appeared in Festivals and performances throughout the United States and abroad. Its recent performances include performances at the Conference of the National Flute Association and The Symposium of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors. The international profile of the Camerata Woodwind Quintet also includes performances in collaboration with members of the famed Reykjavik Woodwind Quintet on the Western Illinois University Campus at the International Horn Symposium in 2009 and the Summer Music Institute in 2011.
The Camerata has a rich history of international outreach, performing in countries including: Poland, Yugoslavia, Mexico, and China.
Camerata Upcoming Events - FALL 2023
November 1, 7:30 PM, COFAC recital hall
December 11, 7:00 PM, Macomb Arts Center
Camerata Upcoming Events - SPRING 2024
March 6, 2024 7:30 PM, COFAC recital hall
Camerata Upcoming Events - SUMMER 2024
Upcoming concerts and events will be updated when availble.
Camerata Woodwind Quintet -- from Wind Quintet I. Allegro con Moto by Paul Taffanel
Camerata Woodwind Quintet -- from Aires Tropicales II. Son by Paquito D'Rivera
Discography
The Camerata Woodwind Quintet has received critical acclaim for its many recordings. In 2005, the premiere recording of the Quintet no. 2 by Anthony Iannaccone, as well as Quintets by Hetú and Steinmetz was released on CRYSTAL Records. Early recordings of the Camerata Woodwind Quintet were groundbreaking in the area of chamber music education. These include the famous recordings on the Music Minus One, Coronet Records, and Pinebrook labels.
1970
September 23, 1971 - The Camerata Woodwind Quintet in Mexico
L-R, Roy Lawrence, Gerald Carey, George Townsend, Carlos Chavez, Robert Koper, Roger Collins and Malcomb Toon, United States Ambassador to Mexico--at the Ambassador's residence in Mexico City at a Concert and Reception honoring Carlos Chavez.
1980
The Camerata Woodwind Quintet with oboist James Brody:
James Brody was the oboist with the Camerata Woodwind Quintet from 1981-1986.Highlights of that period included a performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall as well as a performance trip to China
Gerald Carey-flute, James Brody-oboe, George Townsend-clarinet, Roger Collins-Horn, and Robert Koper-bassoon
James Brody-oboe, Robert Koper-bassoon, George Townsend-clarinet, Gerald Carey-flute, Roger Collins-Horn
At Carnegie Hall(2nd visit!) - Gerald Carey, Robert Koper, Roger Collins, James Brody, George Townsend
At Carnegie Hall
At Great Wall of China
At Conservatory
Departure
Playing on Tour
1988
Performing in Cracow, Poland
The Camerata at The Frederic Chopin University of Music, Warsaw Poland
L-R: Roger Collins, Robert Koper, George Townsend, Gerald Carey, Michael Ericson
1989
1995 - Founder's Day
L-R: "Gerald Carey-flute, George Townsend-clarinet, Mark Avery-bassoon, Roger Collins-horn, Michael Ericson-oboe."
1998-2007
2002 Dedication of the COFAC Recital Hall
2006-2007 - 40th Anniversary Season
2008 The Camerata Woodwind Quintet
L-R:Virginia Broffitt-flute, Eric Ginsberg-clarinet, Randall Faust-horn, Douglas Huff-bassoon, and Michael Ericson-oboe.
2009-2011
International Collaborations: The Camerata Woodwind Quintet andThe Reykjavík Woodwind Quintet
On Thursday June 4, 2009, members of The Camerata Woodwind Quintet performed at THE 41st International Horn Symposium with Hornist Joseph Ognibene of The Reykjavík Woodwind Quintet.
L-R:Virginia Broffitt-flute, Eric Ginsberg-clarinet, Joseph Ognibene-horn, Douglas Huff-bassoon, and Michael Ericson-oboe
2011 - Original Drawing by WIU Art Professor Bruce Walters.
2012
The Camerata Woodwind Quintet at Galesburg Junior High School, Spring 2012
L-R, Roy Lawrence, Gerald Carey, George Townsend, Carlos Chavez, Robert Koper, Roger Collins and Malcomb Toon, United States Ambassador to Mexico--at the Ambassador's residence in Mexico City at a Concert and Reception honoring Carlos Chavez. 
Gerald Carey-flute, James Brody-oboe, George Townsend-clarinet, Roger Collins-Horn, and Robert Koper-bassoon
James Brody-oboe, Robert Koper-bassoon, George Townsend-clarinet, Gerald Carey-flute, Roger Collins-Horn
At Carnegie Hall(2nd visit!) - Gerald Carey, Robert Koper, Roger Collins, James Brody, George Townsend
At Carnegie Hall
At Great Wall of China
At Conservatory
Departure
Playing on Tour
Performing in Cracow, Poland
The Camerata at The Frederic Chopin University of Music, Warsaw Poland
L-R: Roger Collins, Robert Koper, George Townsend, Gerald Carey, Michael Ericson
L-R: "Gerald Carey-flute, George Townsend-clarinet, Mark Avery-bassoon, Roger Collins-horn, Michael Ericson-oboe."
L-R:Virginia Broffitt-flute, Eric Ginsberg-clarinet, Randall Faust-horn, Douglas Huff-bassoon, and Michael Ericson-oboe.
L-R:Virginia Broffitt-flute, Eric Ginsberg-clarinet, Joseph Ognibene-horn, Douglas Huff-bassoon, and Michael Ericson-oboe
2011 - Original Drawing by WIU Art Professor Bruce Walters.
The Camerata Woodwind Quintet at Galesburg Junior High School, Spring 2012
Pontiac High School
Pontiac High School
Pontiac High School
St. Charles High School
