About Us

Fivemind Reeds is a Los Angeles-based reed quintet with saxophonist Alexander Lee, clarinetists Darren Liou and Kristine Llanderal, bassoonist Matthew Rasmussen, and oboist Thacher Schreiber. Formed in 2021 at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music, Fivemind has since performed in several concerts and recitals throughout Los Angeles and the United States. A featured ensemble at the 2022 Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival in New York City, Fivemind has premiered works by composers such as Rutgers University Professor Nadine Silverman, UCLA doctoral candidate Madeline Barrett, and Fivemind’s own Thacher Schreiber. Most recently, Fivemind was a two-time ensemble-in-residence for Interlochen Public Radio’s Sound Garden Project, planting classical music in unexpected places through innovative programming and performances. The quintet maintains a colorful and diverse repertoire, from old masterworks by Mozart and Grieg to landmark contemporary works by composers such as David Biedenbender, Marc Mellits, and Jeff Scott.

Fivemind’s interests lie in bridging the gap between classical and contemporary music, and promoting diversity and equity in the arts through community engagement, expansion of the reed quintet’s repertoire, and revitalization of the age-old traditions of chamber music. In addition to their concert and recital performances, through their 2024 Call for Scores, Fivemind selected and will perform three pieces from both emerging and established composers throughout the United States. Recent engagements include hosting their own concert series in Los Angeles and returning to Northern Michigan for IPR’s Sound Garden Project as Artists-in-Residence with the Manitou Music Festival.

Fivemind Reeds is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Los Angeles, California.