On Friday, October 25th Unity Hall welcomes Monk Rowe's Five Families, a unique musical collective. When The Five Families Ensemble take the stage the five players adeptly combine the highest levels of musicianship and relaxed humor to establish a stimulating connection between the musicians and the audience. You'll hear familiar classics to tunes heard on a long hot night on the Bayou to the background music for a card game in the back alleys of St. Louis -- from Brubeck to the blues.

​

The Five Families Ensemble, directed by Monk Rowe, stretches the boundaries of the traditional chamber ensemble by combining sounds from each of the four instrument groups (brass, woodwinds, percussion and strings) with a fifth contribution from the human voice. Their repertoire is arranged specifically for the group and ranges from Beethoven to Brubeck to the Blues, as well as original compositions. The Five Families Ensemble appeals to audiences of all ages by combining stellar musicianship with an engaging and welcoming attitude.

 

Members of the Five Families Ensemble are: (L-R), Scott Rutledge (trumpet, flugelhorn, & vocals), Liz Simchik (violin & vocals), Monk Rowe (woodwinds & keyboards), Kristen Kopf (cello & baritone sax),and Evan DuChene (percussion).
 

 

One music critic commented that their music was “unlike anything we've heard before -exquisite arrangements of vintage pieces to dazzling originals performed by outstanding instrumentalists/vocalists.” Matt Mielnick caps this off and adds “This is a feel-really-good band from start to finish.”

​

Unity Hall's theater is on the 2nd floor. We simulcast events to the 1st floor for those unable to climb the stairs. Handicap access to the Hall is available through the wide door adjacent to our rear parking lot.