Orchid Ensemble brings unique sound to Dalton Center
Oct. 1, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- East meets West as the Orchid Ensemble blends musical traditions and instruments from China, Europe and other lands in a Wednesday, Oct. 9, concert beginning at 8:15 p.m. in the Dalton Center Recital Hall at Western Michigan University.
Orchid Ensemble brings a variety of musical styles to their performances, ranging from traditional and contemporary pieces of the many regions of China, to New Music, World Music and Jazz.
Tickets for the Oct. 9 Orchid Ensemble performance are $10 for general admission and $5 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available through the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office at (269) 387-2300 or toll free (800) 228-9858.
From the tranquil beauty of the zheng--a Chinese zither--to the rich textures of the marimba--a wooden mallet keyboard instrument of African origin--to the soaring splendor of the erhu--a Chinese two-string violin--the unique combination of instruments performed creates a fascinating tapestry of musical textures and colors.
Orchid Ensemble's concert is part of a three-day visit to WMU's School of Music. During the group's stay, they will also give informal and formal lectures and workshops with students.
Members of the Canadian-based Orchid Ensemble are Jonathan Bernard, Mei Han and Lan Tung. Tung plays the erhu. Shortly after completing her professional training in Taiwan, she moved to Canada to become a featured soloist with the British Columbian Chinese Orchestra. Han, who plays the zheng, studied traditional music with zheng masters in China. She holds master's degrees from Chinese Music Research Institute in Beijing and from University of British Columbia. Bernard plays marimba and percussion. He is the principal percussionist with the Vancouver Island Symphony, and has performed with a number of other organizations including the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian National Ballet Orchestra.
Media contact: Kevin West, 269 387-4678, kevin.west@wmich.edu