Jennifer Higdon

World Premiere: Rush Not The Reeds

Premiere Date: Sep 19, 2026

Rush Not The Reeds, for Wind Quintet

World Premiere: September 19, 2026 in Tulsa, Oklahoma

The thrill of pondering the sound of a group of reed instruments playing together evoked in my imagination the visual beauty of nature’s reeds and rushes, gently swaying in a breeze. Considering a “reed” quintet, the play on words (with different possible definitions) was inspirational in dreaming up the sound world of this piece. Listen carefully, and rush not the experience of hearing exceptional reed players, singing to listeners through music in the power of a choir, but also in single melodic lines. Rush not the reeds.

- Jennifer Higdon

Commissioned by Akropolis Reed Quintet with support provided by Chamber Music Tulsa and The Barthelmes Foundation.
This work was also made possible in part by support from the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support provided by the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, The Amphion Foundation, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, the Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, The Kresge Foundation, New Music USA, and individual donors.

Read more about Jennifer Hidgon here: http://www.jenniferhigdon.com/