Three Reeds and a Horn trio

About the Artist

Explore a mix of classical, contemporary, jazz, and tango works of huge emotional breadth written for clarinet, horn, and bassoon trio. Three Reeds and a Horn performers include Natalie Groom (clarinet), Kat Robinson (horn), and Qun Ren (bassoon). In two short years, the trio has commissioned twelve works and has performed numerous premieres. The trio is a proponent of "flex" chamber music, music that can be played by many combinations of instruments, and has been a key ensemble in the promotion of Natalie Groom's Flexing the Canon project. The trio's concert programs are typically ~65 minutes without intermission, and programs explore themes such as nature conservation, mindfulness, overcoming grief, and finding joy in small and silly things.  

Artist's Statement

About the Performers:  DR. NATALIE GROOM is a clarinetist, educator, composer, and arts manager in Maryland where she is the clarinet professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and Towson University. A few of Natalie’s performance career highlights include being a concerto soloist with the White Mountain Symphony Orchestra and performing at The Kennedy Center, AMP by Strathmore, New World Center, The Anthem, Phillips Collection, Austrian and Spanish Embassies, and Goethe-Institut.  DR. KAT ROBINSON is a freelance horn player and music educator residing in the DMV metro area. Originally from Los Angeles, she is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts in Horn Performance at the University of Maryland, College Park. Kat is a member of the US Army Reserves and serves as Principal Horn of the 300th Army Band where she performs in the Brass Quintet, Ceremonial Band, and Concert Band. She currently serves as Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of coordinating logistics for performances and missions for the 300th Army Band.  DR. QUN (JIMMY) REN has made appearances with several professional orchestras, including Washington National Opera Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, and Washington Chamber Orchestra. Jimmy has attended many festivals including National Orchestral Institute, National Repertory Orchestra, Eastern Music Festival. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Maryland in College Park, where he also earned a Master of Music degree in 2019.