Chill Out with WindSync’s Meditative Concert and Bonus Viewing of James Turrell’s Iconic ‘Skyspace’

ON SUNDAY, FEB. 26, Live Oak Friends Meeting House in the Heights is the setting for Musical Offerings, a concert of tranquil, meditative music performed by the critically acclaimed, internationally recognized Houston wind quintet WindSync. Adding to the contemplative nature of the event is a special 5:45pm pre-concert viewing of James Turrell’s Skyspace, a 12-foot-square window in the roof of the meeting house which is open to the sky during clear weather. As the sun sets, the changing light pours in from the skyspace and covers the walls of the interior of the meeting house.

The slow transition from daylight to dusk will be the perfect cue for a program of such lyrical music, including two pieces composed for WindSync: Hold Sacred by Akshaya Avril Tucker and Absent Lights for reed trio by Miguel del Águila; Arvo Part’s sublime The Deer’s Cry; Steven Bryant’s Dusk; Frank Ticheli’s Earth Song; and to close the evening, an arrangement for five winds plus guest Julian Hernandez on bass clarinet of J.S. Bach’s lovely six-part fugue Ricercar a 6.

WindSync

Founded in 2009, the now thoroughly seasoned quintet features founding members Anni Hochhalter (horn) and Garrett Hudson (flute) and newer members Emily Tsai (oboe), Graeme Steele Johnson (clarinet) and Kara LaMoure (bassoon). Over the course of their 2022-2023 season, which includes performances in no less than 21 cities across the country, WindSync has presented several concerts in their hometown in such surprising venues as 8th Wonder Brewery and Archway Gallery. Last November, the fab five traveled to London’s Abbey Road Studios to record a forthcoming album of music by del Águila.

Looking ahead to April 2023, WindSync will present their seventh annual week-long Onstage Offstage Chamber Music Festival, with outdoor concerts at Crain Garden, a favorite common space in Houston Methodist Hospital, and The Lawn at Houston Farmers Market, as well as ticketed performances at MATCH and Zilkha Hall.