Formed in 2011, the New Brunswick-based woodwind quintet Ventus Machina quickly became a major player on Canada’s east coast classical music scene. Their flexible and dynamic style of performance—often presenting themed programs that at once engage, entertain, and educate—continues to attract and delight increasingly diverse audiences. Classically based and uncompromising in artistic quality, Ventus Machina makes regular excursions into other genres including jazz, opera, Latin and pop; challenging themselves and surprising their audiences.
Ventus Machina was honoured to be awarded Classical Artist of 2018 by Music NB at their recent Festival 506. Their latest album, In the Weeds, was launched in September 2017 and was nominated for an East Coast Music Award for Classical Album of the Year in May 2018. A work commissioned for Ventus Machina and recorded on the disc—Martin Kutnowski’s Tonadas y Mateadas—also received an ECMA nomination and was released in the form of an extended music video in early 2018.
In addition to their many performances Ventus Machina presents two summer workshops each year; the week-long Wind Masters’ Workshop for students aged 12-22, and a chamber music retreat weekend for adults. During the school year they are found actively engaging in community outreach through their own initiatives and through partnerships with Symphony New Brunswick, Resurgo Place Museum, and the Riverview Arts Center. Individually they teach students at all levels, including at Mount Allison University and the University of Moncton.
The members of Ventus Machina are:
• Karin Aurell, flute – originally from Sweden, she brings a wealth of orchestral and chamber music experience;
• Christie Goodwin, oboe – hailing from Alberta, this Prairie girl has played with orchestras and chamber music groups across the country;
• James Kalyn, clarinet and saxophone—renowned woodwind doubler and a professor at Mount Allison University;
• Jon Fisher, horn – a BC native, Jon has played his way ever-eastward, studying in Calgary and Toronto before accepting a position in Saint John, NB, where he has made his mark as a teacher, performer and band director;
• Patrick Bolduc, bassoon – with a little Quebecois ‘joie de vivre’, a lot of humour, and wide-ranging performing experience, Patrick brings boundless energy to the quintet.