The Con Grazia Wind Quintet was formed in 1995 by wind players of the OCP. The quintet maintains an active performance schedule throughout the Northwest, and we can either present a full-length concert, or a private event.

Here are examples of some of the themed shows we present:

Learn about music and have fun with the Con Grazia Wind Quintet of the Oregon Chamber Players! The entertaining format of this performance program for all ages combines musical vocabulary and appreciation through participation. Students enjoy marching, singing and engaging storytelling blended with a close-up look at the instruments playing a range of music from around the world. This unique experience includes musical marching elephants, turkeys that mambo, a frog that goes a'courtin, magic spells, a famous tale of a boy named Peter vs. a wolf, and a clapping song finale. If booked as a school concert, programs can be customized to fit curriculum; an accompanying teacher's guide includes definitions of terms used, geography covered, song lyrics and suggested projects. As a bonus for school concerts, sectionals for instrumentalists can be arranged.


Woodwind World Tour!
(School Program)
This musical journey spans the continents of Europe, Africa and Asia, winds its way through South America and ends up back in the United States. Each stop on the itinerary features a bit of history and a representative composer's work, such as the colorful and evocative music from France's composer Ibert, the exciting rhythms of Cuba as portrayed by Granados, and America's Ragtime music of Scott Joplin. If booked as a school concert, programs can be customized to fit curriculum. As a bonus for school concerts, sectionals for instrumentalists can be arranged.

Reading in Rhythm
A delightful show that ties together two of our favorite things, music and reading! This features timeless literary classics such as Winnie the Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, Tales of Beatrix Potter, and the REAL story of what actually happened in Hamelin as told by our guest narrator in the suite "The Bassoonist of Hamelin". All of our quintet members entertain between pieces/movements with a story synopsis to make for a truly enjoyable and accessible concert experience. Great for libraries, family concerts, schools and anyone who is young at heart!

Divas Do Opera
This effervescent and exciting concert is always a popular crowd-pleaser! The Con Grazia Wind Quintet will frolic through Mozart's Overture to The Magic Flute, melt your heart with Mascagni's Intermezzo, and give you a sampling of Bizet's Carmen. That's just the first half! Now it's time for a Fledermaus, Pirates and some Puccini. Bring your opera glasses, boa and tiara and perhaps you'll find yourself on-stage singing "O Mio Babbino Caro" with us..

Farce, Follies & FUN
This presentation mixes a bit of musical theater, mischief and mayhem for an amusing show that mixes a bit of jazz, some of our favorite classic cartoon music and a bit of Vaudeville. Con Grazia is obviously not the standard, ho-hum wind quintet, and this concert proves that chamber music can be accessible and enjoyable!

OOh, La, LA!
Some of the finest music for wind quintet has been written by French composers, and this concert celebrates the sparkling melodies and technical virtuosity this repertoire has to offer. Take a musical tour of France with us as we play brilliant music by such composers as Lefebvre, Pierne, Milhaud and Arrieu.

Dancing with Divas
Polkas, Tangos and Tap - Oh MY! Some of our favorite music is based on dance forms, and we've put together the ones that get our toes tapping the most in this exciting concert presentation. (Schedule/budget permitting, dancers are added.)

Americana!
We are patriotic and proud, and this concert features accessible and entertaining repertoire by American composers.