Praised by the New York Times for its “conviction, authority, and finesse,” the Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble harnesses the collaborative spirit of chamber music to reach beyond the traditionally perceived limits of classical music. The ensemble’s artistic, educational, and civic programs engage theater groups, video game designers, corporate innovators, and folk bands to share stories as diverse as the communities it serves.

The project tells the story of Tuvan music and culture, framing the idea that folk
music is equally about preservation and participation. They explore how folk
music comes to exist, how it is assimilated, disseminated, and appropriated by other cultures, why it matters to a people, how it retains its identity while blending with a wide variety of influences, and how it has survived and responded to various threats.