Established in December 1971, the International Double Reed Society (oboe and bassoon family), is a member-based organization made up of professional double reed players, amateurs, hobbyists, university/college instructors, music teachers, institutions, instrument manufacturers, double reed product retailers, reed makers, and enthusiasts. The society has over 3,000 members from 56 countries. Learn more about IDRS.
Subscription to the IDRS monthly e-newsletter
Full access to IDRS.org, including conference videos, past publications, livestreaming, and a Member Directory.
Receive our quarterly print journal, The Double Reed
Membership rates at the annual IDRS conference
Opportunities to compete in the annual Gillet-Fox and Norma Hooks Young Artist competitions
While Toyin Spellman-Diaz and Monica Ellis, oboist and bassoonist, respectively, of the widely acclaimed and wildly successful Imani Winds have not been performing nearly as much as they would like during this COVID-19 era, they have certainly managed to stay busy. Whether it be teaching masterclasses, speaking about the intersection of race and clas- sical music, consulting on IDRS commissions and hires, or promoting their group’s newest album, Bruits, they seem to be nearly everywhere all at once. Consummate artists and educators, they have made a twenty-four-year-and-counting career of sharing music and ideas with rapt audiences across the world. Recently, I was lucky enough to catch up with both Monica and Toyin via Zoom for this two-part interview about their lives, their careers, and everything in between.
