ARUNDOSquintett
was founded in 2013 and is based in the German State of North Rhine Westphalia (NRW). The woodwind quintet delights its audiences with new, original and classical woodwind quintet repertoire, combined with charming moderation. The five musicians, Anna Saha (Flute), Yoshihiko Shimo (Oboe), Christine Stemmler (Clarinet), Lisa Rogers (Horn) und Yuka Maehrle (Bassoon), began this ensemble because of their shared studies at the Cologne Conservatory and collaborations at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein. This elite young ensemble impresses all ages with its stunningly precise collaboration, breathtaking virtuosity, and relentless love of performance.

The ARUNDOSquintett won prizes at the Antón García Abril 2014 and the Castilla y León 2015 international chamber music competitions. It qualified for the prestigious ARD-Music Competition 2014, and the Carl-Nielsen-Competition 2015. In 2017, the ARUNDOSquintett was chosen as one of 8 wind ensembles worldwide to fly to Japan and compete in the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition. The musicians are grant-holders of a scholarship of the Werner Richard – Dr. Carl Dörken Foundation and winner of the concert series Best of NRW 2016. In April 2016, a live recording from the “Best of NRW” tour was broadcasted on Radio WDR 3’s Chamber Music program.

In 2020, the ARUNDOSquintett was the recipient of the prestigious three-year Ensemble grant from the Ministry of Culture of the State of North Rhein Westfalen, along with a stipend for its Project “NRWinds” from the Kunststiftung NRW.

With its extensive repertoire, the quintet has performed in various venues including: the Philharmonie Köln, Radio Station WDR in Cologne, Beethovenhaus in Bonn, and the Rheingau Musik Festival in Germany. The musicians have collected international concert experience on tours in Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Japan.

The individual members of the quintet are distinguished by their artistically outstanding capabilities and have been awarded prizes in numerous musical competitions. All musicians perform as chamber musicians as well as soloists, and currently hold positions in North Rhein Westphalia, Germany.