Eighth Blackbird

eighth blackbird is “one of the smartest, most dynamic contemporary classical ensembles on the planet” (chicago tribune). launched by six entrepreneurial oberlin conservatory undergraduates in 1996, this chicago-based super-group has earned its status as “a brand-name…defined by adventure, vibrancy and quality….known for performing from memory, employing choreography and collaborations with theater artists, lighting designers and even puppetry artists” (detroit free press). eighth blackbird’s mission—moving music forward through innovative performance, advocating for new music by living composers, and creating a legacy of guiding an emerging generation of musicians —extends beyond recording and touring to curation and education. a long-term relationship with chicago’s cedille records has produced eight acclaimed recordings and four grammy awards for best small ensemble/chamber music performance, most recently in 2016 for filament. they were named musical america’s 2017 ensemble of the