$20 admission / $10 for students / 5pm doors / 5:30 show
Emissary Quartet’s debut album and concert program, [moment]um, is inspired by the Japanese concept of jo-ha-kyū, a structure that reflects the natural flow of progression: beginning slowly (jo), accelerating through development (ha), and culminating in a swift and powerful conclusion (kyū). This theme of movement, time, and motion is brought to life through contemporary works by living composers, Jennifer Higdon, Kai-Young Chan, Sung-Hyun Yun, Nicky Sohn, Heike Beckmann, and Herman Beeftink. Each composer uses the unique textures and timbres of the flute and auxiliary flutes, to evoke a sense of continuous transformation. Each piece within the album highlights various facets of moments and motion, from the meditative, gradually unfolding soundscapes of the opening movements to the more dynamic, rhythmically intricate passages that create a palpable sense of urgency and energy. The living composers draw upon a wide range of influences, blending minimalist repetition with more expansive, lyrical phrasing to reflect [moment]um, while exploring the capacity of sound to depict both literal and abstract forms of motion.
Emissary Quartet is committed to cultivating connection and opportunity through dynamic performances and residencies that empower musicians and foster community. EQ has presented at various conventions, including the National Flute Association, and has received numerous grants and honors, including from New Music USA and The Fromm Foundation.
EQ continues to curate a catalog of new works that fully exploit the dynamic expressive capabilities of four flutes together. The ensemble held an International Call for Scores throughout the 2016-2017 season and received over 190 submissions from composers across the globe. In 2025, EQ released their debut album, [moment]um, with a newly commissioned work by composer Nicky Sohn. EQ continues to develop fruitful collaborative relationships with composers to further music of their generation and make flute quartet music a significant part of the sound landscape of today.
EQ’s passion for collaboration extends beyond the bounds of music alone. In 2023, EQ presented Emissary Artists, an event of live art and music at Box13 ArtSpace in Houston, TX. In 2024, EQ premiered music by Owen Eddy at The Blue Building in NYC as part of a multi-disciplinary performance entitled UTILITY in collaboration with Synchronous. Recent performances include a recital at the 2026 National Flute Association Convention in Portland, OR and residencies in Houston, TX, and Pittsburgh, PA.