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A Minnesota-based contemporary music group that brings new and experimental works to the public through concerts, education/outreach programs and community engagement.

Photo by Megan Wilson Eckers

Ensemble 61 brings new and experimental classical music to the public through concerts, education/outreach programs and community engagement. Seven nationally renowned musicians—soprano, flute, clarinet, piano, percussion, violin, cello and composer—make up Ensemble 61. It is the only mixed chamber ensemble in Minnesota dedicated to the performing and recording of the music of our time.

Members of Ensemble 61 have been featured by internationally recognized presenters such as the American Academy in Rome, Sonic Fusion Festival in Edinburgh, Bang on a Can in Massachusetts, SEAMUS National Conference, June in Buffalo in New York, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Soundfield New and Experimental Music Festival in Chicago, Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.

Its artists have received prestigious awards from the Fulbright Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, the Fromm Foundation at Harvard University, Aaron Copland Fund, the Ditson Fund, the Minnesota State Arts Board and the American Composers Forum. Their work has been featured by National Public Radio’s Performance Today, the American Music Center’s NewMusicBox broadcast and publication, Tutti magazine and Voice and has been commercially released by Innova, Parma/Navona and BIS records.

Ensemble 61 was founded by composer Kirsten Broberg and percussionist Erik Barsness. The group takes its name from the Historic Highway that runs from Duluth to New Orleans and is the inspiration for many artists including Bob Dylan.

Ensemble 61

Artists

Soprano

Flute

Clarinet

Percussion

Guest Guitar

Jesse Langen