Eight Strings & a Whistle

Eight Strings & a Whistle has been committed to presenting and expanding the repertoire for the unique combination of flute, viola, and cello since 1998. A cutting-edge presence, the Trio champions Baroque, Classical, and Romantic repertoire  and collaborates regularly with a wide roster of living composers, premiering and performing their pieces throughout the concert season. 

The ensembles appearances include performances at the Festival Música Contemporánea de la Habana (Havana, Cuba), the Festival of New American Music (Sacramento CA), the Spectri Sonori Series at Tulane University (New Orleans LA), the Stern Virtuoso Series at Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs NY), and the University of Maine campuses at Presque Isle and Fort Kent. Performances in New York City include concerts at the Tenri Cultural Institute, the 2014 Queens New Music Festival, Spectrum, Merkin Concert Hall, and Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre at Symphony Space. Television and radio appearances include “Minding Your Business,” hosted by June Middleton (MNN TV), and Maine Public Radio’s live performance series with host Suzanne Nance. Winner of the Artists International Special Presentation Award, Eight Strings & a Whistle performed its critically acclaimed New York Debut at Merkin Concert Hall in May 2003. 

Eight Strings & a Whistle’s most recent recording, AND NOTHING REMAINS THE SAME (RR8061) was released on Ravello Records in November 2021. Other recordings on Ravello Records include the Trio’s debut album, ALBERT’S WINDOW (RR7918), released in November 2015, and 96 STRINGS AND 2 WHISTLES, a recording of the music of Scott Brickman featuring Eight Strings & a Whistle with pianist Beth Levin, released In August 2016. The Trio can also be heard on Douglas Anderson’s CHAMBER SYMPHONIES 2, 3 & 4 (RR7923, Ravello Records, January 2016) and TULPE, a recording of music by Sarah Davol and GRAMMY-nominated artist Dawn Avery (Okenti Records, January 2008). 

In June 2017, the ensemble launched its first 8SW Composer Competition to further its desire to promote chamber music for the flute, viola, and cello, and to encourage the writing of contemporary chamber music in general. The competition is held once every two years.