Join International House and The Department of Music at the University of Chicago as we host ~Nois for an interactive concert experience. In just four years, Chicago-based saxophone quartet ~Nois has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting and engaging chamber music ensembles in the United States.

Webinar ID: 978 4119 7425

Webinar Passcode: IHouse 

Click to join: https://uchicagogroup.zoom.us/j/97841197425?pwd=TENndzJyVm1tMkJOZzl3ZWFYbTNNUT09 

Founded in 2016, ~Nois (pronounced “noise”) has become one of the premier ensembles in the United States by combining contemporary classical music and improvisation to connect with audiences in unique concert experiences. Described as “invigorating” (The New Yorker) and known for its “truly innovative musicianship” and “raw creativity” (Cacophony Magazine), ~Nois has been awarded top prizes at prestigious chamber music competitions including the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the M-Prize International Arts Competition.

In 2020, ~Nois released its debut album, Is This ~Nois. Hailed as “fresh and intense” (The WholeNote), the album was named among the “Best of Bandcamp Contemporary Classical: June 2020” by critic Peter Margasak. Is This ~Nois is a love letter to the quartet’s home of Chicago, featuring music by composers with strong ties to the city and its vibrant new music scene. “If ~Nois’ debut album is any indicator of what is to come from the group, the genre of the saxophone quartet has a bright future on the near horizon.” (I Care If You Listen).

Since its founding, ~Nois has given over 75 performances in 20 states from coast to coast. In addition to its regular concert season in Chicago, ~Nois has performed at festivals such as Big Ears, the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, and the California State University Fullerton New Music Festival. ~Nois is in demand as a guest artist and lecturer at universities and secondary schools across the nation with residencies and performances at over 30 institutions including the University of Chicago, the University of Colorado – Boulder, the Manhattan School of Music, and Princeton University. For the 2020/2021 academic year, ~Nois was appointed as the Don Michael Randel Ensemble in Residence at the University of Chicago.

Dedicated to expanding and redefining the saxophone quartet repertoire, ~Nois has premiered over 30 pieces including works by 2019 Gaudeamus Prize winner Kelley Sheehan and 2018 Guggenheim Fellow Tonia Ko. ~Nois recently partnered with the Kinds of Kings composer collective on a series of concerts in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles and has performed with the Bang On A Can All-Stars, Claire Chase, Eighth Blackbird, and indie rock band My Brightest Diamond.

~Nois is Hunter Bockes, János Csontos, Jordan Lulloff, and Brandon Quarles. For more information, please visit www.noissaxophone.com.

This performance of ~Nois is presented by the International House Global Voices Performing Arts Series in partnership with the University of Chicago Department of Music as part of the Don Michael Randel Ensemble Residency. Named for University of Chicago President Emeritus Don Randel, the residency program enables deep engagement between exceptional visiting musical ensembles and UChicago faculty, students and staff.