Orchid Ensemble Performs at Berea on Thursday, Nov. 11

11/29/10

Orchid Ensemble, a trio of Chinese, Taiwanese, and Canadian musicians, creates an innovative musical genre inspired by the rhythms, melodies and cultural traditions found along Silk Road. The ensemble will perform “Road to Kashgar” at Berea College on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. in Phelps Stokes auditorium. The concert is part of the 2010-11 Stephenson Memorial Concert Series and is free and open to the public.

Orchid Ensemble was established in 1997 by Lan Tung on the erhu/Chinese violin, Haiqiong Deng on the zheng/Chinese zither, and Jonathan Bernard on percussion. To create new musical sounds, they blend ancient musical instruments and traditions from China and beyond, ranging from the traditional and contemporary music of China, world music, new music to jazz and creative improvisation. Orchid Ensemble regularly collaborates with artists from various backgrounds and commissions new works from Canadian and American composers. Its annual productions have also evolved to integrate music with multimedia and dance.

Orchid Ensemble has been touring throughout North America, giving more than 70 performances each year at concert halls, schools and jazz and folk music festivals. Their CD “Road to Kashgar” won a 2005 JUNO nomination.

For a complete listing of all Berea College convocations in 2010-11, visit www.berea.edu/convocations.