We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Adrienne Tedjamulia Read. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Adrienne below.

Adrienne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

In the fall of 2019, our group decided, with the encouragement and support of our professor, that we would break away from the university and rebrand in the Spring of 2020 when three of our members were set to graduate. We started out as a graduate ensemble at our university. We all enjoyed working and playing together, and we wanted to be able to continue doing so into the future. With everything that unfolded in the spring and early summer of 2020, our group began to reconsider what would be our specific purpose, especially in a world that felt fragmented.

We would gather online and discuss what can a group of 7 flute players do with any sort of meaning, and that’s when we decided we wanted to contribute to change. Responding to some of the needs that were brought to the collective attention in 2020, we decided we wanted to have our group be one that supported the music field but also expanded what was possible. We built on mission on outreach service, collaboration with other teachers and artists, and a drive to commission new music.

Ensemble 126 doesn’t quite follow the tradition of being based out of anywhere. Our ensemble members come from all over the world and work across the country. Even within the field of music, we not only have performers and professors, but we also have members who work in music business sales and musicology, as well as others who have careers in administration and tech. It can be a little daunting coordinating these different schedules, but our mission brings us back together and inspires us to serve.

COMMISSIONS
Sometimes people forget that all music was once new, especially in the field of classical music. The familiar names of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven were all people who took commissions to make a living and support their families. Although we study, enjoy, and admire their work, our group also felt that we could do more to support living composers creating music that is responsive to our time. Commissioning new music for our group comes from our biennial competition we host and also from collaborations with members in the group and other musicians.

OUTREACH & COLLABORATION
A benefit we experienced from the distance learning and adjustment to virtual interactions in 2020 was the opportunity to reach an international audience. In the fall of 2020 and 2021, we were able to hold outreach masterclasses via zoom to locations in South America and Southeast Asia in additional to domestic virtual classes. These experiences were richly rewarding to connect with young musicians across the world and share a passion for music. This opened doors for us and brought an opportunity in 2022 for Ensemble 126 to be at an international symposium in Colombia. This year, Ensemble 126 will be returning to Colombia to provide 2 masterclasses and a concert at the University of Pamplona.

In 2023, we have seen so much growth for our group. We have been on 2 successful tours, including a recent collaboration with the Utah Flute Association this last March, and have plans in the coming years to visit many places across the country.

Our mission is to invigorate the music performance experience by highlighting living composers, including unconventional repertoire, educating audiences, commissioning new music, and collaborating with other artists.

We hope to see you at one of our future performances!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Ensemble 126 is a dynamic flute ensemble founded in 2020 and registered nonprofit 501(c)(3). The name “Ensemble 126” was inspired by the materials frequently used to make concert C flutes, the primary instrument of the ensemble. By adding the atomic numbers of gold (79) and silver (47), Ensemble 126 was born.

As a classical music group, we put on concerts that feature the integration of world flutes like Bolivian panpipes/sikus and Indonesian suling, along with western classical silver flutes and historic replica baroque flutes. Educational outreach efforts bring us into K-12 schools and universities, teaching classes on musicianship and entrepreneurship. Our versatile group has received funding from the National Flute Association C.R.E.A.T.E. Grand Project Competition and Early Music America, and this year is especially grateful to private donors corporate sponsorship from Flute World.

Audiences have come back with enthusiastic reviews of Ensemble 126 performances. “I never knew there were so many different flutes.” “I was engaged from start to finish-I couldn’t believe when it was over.”

Our biennial composition competition is running now through March 2024. Our call for musical compositions for up to 7 flutes features a $3,000 prize and a premiere performance on the national stage. More information can be found on our webage.

Any advice for managing a team?

Our team is scattered across the country and so we miss those small interactions that happen in an in-person setting. Instead, our group tries to create connection by celebrating little things. We celebrate members birthdays and professional successes that they share. Little moments in our group chat that maintain connection do a lot to keep us working together and making progress.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck was a fundamental shift. It helped me see every effort, every setback, and every failure as an opportunity to learn. Turning around the failures into opportunities keeps the group going through it all.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ensemble126.com
• Instagram: @ensemble.126
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ensemble.126/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ensemble126
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ensemble-126

Image Credits
Photo credit for personal head shot and 3 group professional shots: Scott Gunther