Aspen Winds is a woodwind quintet (+ pianist) that plays a variety of playful, melodic music generally by modern composers. The ensemble also creates and performs story-music programs for young audiences such as: Ferdinand the Bull, the Ugly Duckling, the Steadfast Tin Soldier and The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship.

Stephanie Simper (oboe) and Amy Gabbitas (clarinet) co-founded the ensemble in 2011. As Amy tells it: “Aspen Winds started in my living room three years ago when Stephanie and I played oboe/clarinet duets for the first time. We had just met through her daughter and my niece who had set up their own playdate after swim class...after about twenty minutes of sight-reading we decided we needed to do a recital…The dress rehearsal was in my living room with ten children wandering around…The recital was a piece of cake without all of the distractions.” Today the ensemble includes: Sally Humphreys (flute), Luke Pfeil (bassoon), Kit Weber (horn) and Ruby Chou (piano).

Outside of performances at schools and libraries, audiences can hear Aspen Winds at venues throughout Utah. Recent concerts include performances at the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake, the Assembly Hall at Temple Square, the Springville Art Museum and concerts for Utah’s Arts Day On The Hill at the Capitol.  

P.S. If you only have a minute at least don’t go away without hearing Arne Running’s playful “Quodlibet” at 33:12! 

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