Wind Quintet · North West England
A lively, vibrant chamber ensemble bringing fresh energy and bold programming to wind quintet music.
"Listening to you guys play was so exhilarating — I was completely wired by the end."Audience Member
About the Ensemble
Northerly Winds are formed from some of the finest freelance musicians in the North West, with individual credits spanning the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and English National Ballet. Together, they bring world-class musicianship to intimate, engaging and unforgettable concert experiences.
Thank you for opening up chamber music to a younger audience — your endeavours enriched our Festival programme greatly and in many ways.
Bollington Festival
It was such a fun, creative and brilliantly performed event. You made the music so engaging for children and adults alike.
Audience Member
The Five hit the mark!
Stockton Heath Music Society
Upcoming
Crosby Music Festival · 7:30pm
The Rectory, Church Lane, Nantwich · 12:30pm
About
Formed from some of the top freelance musicians in the North West, NW5 have performed to much acclaim since their formation — bringing professional excellence to intimate and vibrant concert experiences across the region.
Flute
Emily Doan
Oboe
Emily Crichton
Clarinet
Beth Nichol
Bassoon
Jon Jones
Horn
Michael Arnold
Biography
Each member of Northerly Winds is a sought-after freelance musician whose individual portfolio spans leading UK orchestras and ensembles. Collective credits include the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Manchester Concert Orchestra, English National Ballet, London Concert Orchestra, and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Members have trained at the Royal Northern College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, with further orchestral development through Southbank Sinfonia and Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.
Their shared love of music — and especially chamber music — is what brought them together as an ensemble. Since formation, NW5 have performed across the North West at venues including Sheffield Cathedral, the Anthony Burgess Foundation, Bollington Chamber Society, Spring Bank Arts, Stockton Heath Music Society, and Crosby Music Festival.
"This was the first event like this I had attended. I never expected that I would enjoy it so much myself!"Audience Member
Performances
NW5 perform regularly across the North West and beyond. Whether a full evening recital, afternoon tea concert, or lunchtime event — every performance is an experience.
2026 Season
7:30pm · Crosby, Merseyside
12:30–13:30 · The Rectory, Church Lane, Nantwich CW5 5RQ
Past Highlights
Sheffield
Manchester
Bollington
Stockton Heath
New Mills, Derbyshire
Interested in booking NW5 for your concert series, festival, or event?
Book the QuintetRepertoire
From the core classical canon to bold contemporary voices, NW5 programme with curiosity and conviction — always including music that may not receive the representation it deserves.
NW5 are committed to widening the wind quintet canon. They gave the second known UK performance of a quintet by Mary Howe — the first woman on the music faculty at New York University — and were gifted a copy of Fleeting Images to perform by award-winning composer Florence Maunders. The ensemble is currently fundraising to commission brand-new works for wind quintet.
"The Five hit the mark!"Stockton Heath Music Society
Education & Outreach
Community engagement and education are central to everything NW5 do. From school workshops to charity partnerships, the ensemble believes in the power of music to connect, inspire and transform.
2+
Schools & Colleges visited
3
Quintets coached at Play Day 2026
2
Charity partnerships
∞
Audience members inspired
Schools & Colleges
NW5 have received funding to deliver workshop days at Bury Grammar School and Holy Cross College, working with students through performance and interactive coaching. The ensemble are passionate about introducing young people to the breadth and excitement of wind chamber music.
It was an unbelievable treat to have professional musicians come and visit our primary school. I want to shake you all by the hand individually!
Headteacher
Charities & Wellbeing
The ensemble has partnered with charities Archer and Unmasked Mental Health, hosting outreach days that use music as a tool for wellbeing and human connection. NW5 believe strongly in the social value of live performance.
Play Day 2026
In 2026, NW5 took their community work a step further by hosting their own Play Day — a full day coaching amateur musicians across three wind quintets. Participants had the rare opportunity to rehearse and perform alongside professional musicians, marking an exciting new strand in the ensemble's outreach programme.
Diversity & Representation
NW5 are passionate about performing and promoting music that may not receive the representation it deserves. Every programme consciously features composers whose voices have been historically under-represented.
A Landmark Performance
Northerly Winds gave the second known UK performance of a wind quintet by Mary Howe — the first woman to serve on the music faculty at New York University. Bringing her work to new audiences is exactly the kind of programming NW5 stand for.
A Gifted Work
Award-winning composer Florence Maunders gifted NW5 a copy of her quintet work Fleeting Images to perform — a testament to the trust the contemporary composing world places in the ensemble's commitment to new and diverse music.
Ongoing Project
NW5 are currently in the middle of a funding campaign to commission brand-new works for wind quintet. The goal: to improve diversity in chamber repertoire and ensure that audiences and musicians of the future feel represented in the classical music world. If you'd like to support or get involved, please get in touch.
"Thank you for opening up chamber music to a younger audience — your endeavours enriched our Festival programme greatly and in many ways."Bollington Festival
Watch & Listen
Live recordings from WAICDOM and beyond. Turn it up.
Live Recordings
Belle Époque dans Sud-América
The Blackbird
Umoja
Sechs Bagatelle
Find more recordings and updates on SoundCloud and Instagram.
Video
Catch our latest videos on the Northerly Winds YouTube channel.
Press Kit
Full Electronic Press Kit including biography, repertoire, quotes, venue history, and contact details.
Get in Touch
Whether you're booking a concert, planning an education project, or simply want to find out more — we'd love to hear from you.
Send a Message
Contact Information
North West, England
CIC No: 16026668
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