The Earl Clemens Wind Quintet (ECQ) is named after Earl L. Clemens, oboist and professor of music education at Northern Illinois University for 36 years. The quintet has worked with a star-studded list of guest coaches including Fritz Foss (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Jennifer Gunn (Chicago Symphony Orchestra), and Lewis Kirk (Santa Fe Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago). Coached regularly by Kathryne Pirtle of the Orion Ensemble, ECQ members are supported by full scholarship thanks to the generous sponsorship of Drs. Jeffrey and Leslie Hecht.