B.C. Chinese Music Ensemble & Nu:BC Collective announce Chinese and Canadian commissions

I'm involved in this great cultural collaboration between China and Canada. Here's the press release announcing the project…

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Arts Partners in Creative Development

~~~ FUTURE HERITAGE / INTERCULTURAL INNOVATIONS ~~~

Workshops / Concert

B.C. Chinese Music Ensemble / Nu:BC Collective

The BC Chinese Music Association (BCCMA) and B.C. Chinese Ensemble (BCCME) in partnership with Nu:BC Collective and the UBC School of Music were awarded an Arts Partners In Creative Development Project < Future Heritage : Intercultural Innovations > . The BCCME / Nu:BC ensemble combines 16 of Canada’s most talented Chinese and new music performers, and will present 3 workshops and a gala concert with world premieres of newly commissioned works by six (6) exceptional composers. Three (3) Canadian and three (3) Chinese composers explore new styles of Chinese and Western musical culture in one ensemble conducted by Ray Zhuo.

The collaboration with Canadian / Chinese composers creates a unique and innovative instrumental style reflecting contemporary Canadian culture while the combination of the BCCME and NU:BC demonstrates the equality of the two musical cultures. The composers from China : Jian-Ping Tang of Central Conservatory of Music, Ning Wang of China Conservatory of Music, Cheng-Long Zhuo of the Shanghai Musicians Association will bring to Vancouver an enormous amount of exposure to the top echelons of Chinese musical life. Their musical styles combine abstract and highly expressive emotions, built solidly on Chinese classical / traditional music skills. Simultaneously the three renowned Canadian composers : Dorothy Chang of UBC, John Oliver and Owen Underhill of SFU share their talent and imagination joining Western contemporary with Chinese musical essence.

The theme of “ Succession , Innovation , Amalgamation , Delimitation and Artistic Conception ” celebrates the skill, knowledge and ability to communicate between cultures. Through listening to each other at the deepest artistic levels and showcasing the artistic equality of the performers, instruments and musical thoughts, we are laying the foundations for a new level of musical and intercultural innovation. The whole process from workshop to performance will be documented and edited into a bilingual DVD for educational purposes and will be deposited into music libraries across Canada and China. Come and take part in creating the musical heritage of the future !

PROGRAM

Colorful Forest : Cheng-Long Zhuo / Ensemble

Slender Gold : Owen Underhill / Ensemble

Tsu-ur Song : Ning Wang / cello, bass, suona, dizi - Concerto Grosso

Four Gardens : Dorothy Chang / Ensemble

Goddess of Luo River : Jian-Ping Tang / flute/zheng - Double Concerto

The Bridge : John Oliver / viola, sanxian, percussion - Triple Concerto

WORKSHOPS

Feb 15-16 , 2011 2:00-4:30 pm Feb 17 , 2011 1:30-4:00 pm :

3 workshops with all six composers in attendance

Gessler Hall - UBC School of Music and open for UBC music students

CONCERT

Date : Feb 18, 2011 Friday 8:00 pm

Place : Roy Barnett Recital Hall, UBC School of Music

Tickets : $30 / $20 *( * senior/student )

Ticket information : Tel. 604-327-8807 , E-mail : bccma@rogers.net , web : www.bccma.net

Media Contact : Mark Armanini, Tel. 604-739-8047, E-mail : armanini@interchange.ubc.ca