Flexing the Canon: Flex Works for Clarinet, Horn, and Bassoon
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Sunday, September 27, 2026
3:00 p.m.
Towson Center for the Arts
Recital Hall
Explore a mix of classical works for clarinet, horn, and bassoon about protecting teeny tiny animals, the intersection of funk and fugues, finding inner calm in uncertain times, and showcasing joy as a form of resistance.
Performers include Towson clarinet professor Natalie Groom, Kat Robinson (horn) and Qun Ren (bassoon). Hear world premieres and commissions for this unique instrumentation, designed as “flex” chamber music, by local composers Ashi Day, Alexandra Gardner, Peter Dayton, and Derek Maseloff. The music featured on this program was funded by a grant from Prince George's Arts and Humanities Council.
The program is ~60 minutes without intermission, with a Q&A with the artists and composers at the end.
“Flex music” is a style of music where each instrumental part is flexible enough that it could be played by several other instruments as well, making it accessible to a vast array of instrument combinations.
Three Reeds and a Horn is a classical music trio comprised of Natalie Groom (founder, clarinet), Kat Robinson (horn), and Qun Ren (bassoon). The group specializes in "flexible" chamber music which can be played by many different combinations of music. The trio explores many genres in its programs, including a mix of classical, contemporary, world, jazz, and tango works of huge emotional breadth.
In three short years, the trio has commissioned twelve works and has performed numerous premieres. The trio is a proponent of flex chamber music and has been a key ensemble in the promotion of Natalie Groom's Flexing the Canon project. The trio's concert programs are typically ~70 minutes without intermission, and programs explore themes such as nature conservation, protecting endangered species, mindfulness, overcoming grief, and finding joy in small and silly things.
A decorated ensemble, Three Reeds and a Horn won second place in 2025 Sadat Music for Justice and Peace Competition in chamber music, and the group has been financially supported by many grants: Society for American Music Sounding the Nation at 250 Grant, Maryland State Arts Council Creativity Grant, PG County Arts and Humanities Council Artist Fellowship Award, M-Cubator Grant for Innovative Projects, and Towson University COFAC DEI Programming grant.
The group engages the local community with performances at local retirement communities, the K-12 Terrapin Summer Music Academy Camp, and Riverdale Train Tunes series. Outside of the classroom and community, the ensemble has concertized at the Colombian Ambassador's Residence, International Women in Brass Conference, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Towson University, University of Maryland College Park, and MMEA All State Conference.
3:00 p.m.
Towson Center for the Arts
Recital Hall
Explore a mix of classical works for clarinet, horn, and bassoon about protecting teeny tiny animals, the intersection of funk and fugues, finding inner calm in uncertain times, and showcasing joy as a form of resistance.
Performers include Towson clarinet professor Natalie Groom, Kat Robinson (horn) and Qun Ren (bassoon). Hear world premieres and commissions for this unique instrumentation, designed as “flex” chamber music, by local composers Ashi Day, Alexandra Gardner, Peter Dayton, and Derek Maseloff. The music featured on this program was funded by a grant from Prince George's Arts and Humanities Council.
The program is ~60 minutes without intermission, with a Q&A with the artists and composers at the end.
“Flex music” is a style of music where each instrumental part is flexible enough that it could be played by several other instruments as well, making it accessible to a vast array of instrument combinations.
Three Reeds and a Horn is a classical music trio comprised of Natalie Groom (founder, clarinet), Kat Robinson (horn), and Qun Ren (bassoon). The group specializes in "flexible" chamber music which can be played by many different combinations of music. The trio explores many genres in its programs, including a mix of classical, contemporary, world, jazz, and tango works of huge emotional breadth.
In three short years, the trio has commissioned twelve works and has performed numerous premieres. The trio is a proponent of flex chamber music and has been a key ensemble in the promotion of Natalie Groom's Flexing the Canon project. The trio's concert programs are typically ~70 minutes without intermission, and programs explore themes such as nature conservation, protecting endangered species, mindfulness, overcoming grief, and finding joy in small and silly things.
A decorated ensemble, Three Reeds and a Horn won second place in 2025 Sadat Music for Justice and Peace Competition in chamber music, and the group has been financially supported by many grants: Society for American Music Sounding the Nation at 250 Grant, Maryland State Arts Council Creativity Grant, PG County Arts and Humanities Council Artist Fellowship Award, M-Cubator Grant for Innovative Projects, and Towson University COFAC DEI Programming grant.
The group engages the local community with performances at local retirement communities, the K-12 Terrapin Summer Music Academy Camp, and Riverdale Train Tunes series. Outside of the classroom and community, the ensemble has concertized at the Colombian Ambassador's Residence, International Women in Brass Conference, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Towson University, University of Maryland College Park, and MMEA All State Conference.
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Where is it happening?
Towson University Center For The Arts, Towson, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherNatalie Groom, Clarinet
