Blossoming for the first time on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is Orchid Ensemble, highly acclaimed and unique musicians who blend a variety of musical styles to produce an intriguing and delightful sound experience for audiences worldwide.
Orchid Ensemble, nominated to receive the annual Canadian musical award JUNO, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability.
The trio consists of Lan Tung (Taiwan/Canada) on the erhu/Chinese violin, Dailin Hsieh (Taiwan) on the zheng/Chinese zither, and Jonathan Bernard (Canada) on percussion. The group blends ancient musical instruments and traditions from China and beyond, creating a beautiful new sound.
The ensemble possesses a variety of musical styles in their repertoire, ranging from the traditional and contemporary music of China to world music, and new music to jazz and creative improvisation.
“Our goal with the Arts & Issues events in the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability is to not only showcase outstanding artists, but also artists who bring something different and unique,” said Grant Andree, Arts & Issues director. “This world music trio from Canada mixes ancient Chinese instruments with percussion to create beautiful music in a variety of styles – both traditional and contemporary.”
General admission is $35 for adults, $30 for SIUE staff, faculty, retirees and alumni, $20 for students with a valid ID and free for SIUE students with a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased online at artsandissues.com, by phone 1-866-698-4253 or at the Morris University Welcome Desk.
The show is sponsored by WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound.
Arts & Issues is tied to the academic mission of the University. For more than 34 years, the series has presented some of the world’s finest performing artists and showcased speakers from across the spectrum in areas such as science, history, literature and politics. The program also offers unique opportunities for students, faculty, staff and the community to engage with these performers and speakers through master classes and special sessions.
Photo: Orchid Ensemble fuses eastern and western music to create a unique sound.