Fully staged Multimedia performance, recorded live with the Madrigal Singers of Vancouver Community College, directed by Gerald van Wyck and conducted by Jin Zhang, at the Roundhouse, Oct. 2008. zheng performed by previous member Gelina Jiang
Designed for professional, amateur, university, college, and high school choirs, this unique repertoire includes arrangements of traditional songs alongside original and accessible contemporary works for Orchid Ensemble's instrumentation and choir.
Choir members have the opportunity to sing in languages such as Taiwanese, Mandarin, Hebrew, and English, while incorporating melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements from traditions ranging from Indonesian Gamelan, Beijing Opera to Latin Jazz.
Residencies can vary from a day to a few days. An example of the full use of the ensemble's strength in collaboration can lead to a program in the following steps:
Preparation: the ensemble will mail/email selected scores with transliteration of the text, translation of text and audio recordings of pronunciation.
Rehearsal: in choir rehearsals, the ensemble members and the choir director will work together to rehearse the materials. The Orchid Ensemble will assist in the pronunciation and inflection of Chinese text and stylistic expression/ornamentation/nuance of the melodies.
Presentation: The choir will join the Orchid Ensemble to perform this repertoire in concert.
Workshop Opportunities:
Discussion and demonstration of traditional vocal styles
Pronunciation and inflection of Chinese languages/dialects
Demonstration of folk songs from minority and Han traditions
Discussion of the relationship between vocal and instrumental music
Knowledge of traditional percussion rhythms and vocalization
photo: on the zheng - Mei Han(past member), Salisbury University choir, Maryland, USA
Recent & Upcoming
March 2013 - Collaboration with the choirs of both the Kent and Stark campuses of Kent State University
Kent, OH
April 2012- Collaboration with St Louis Community College choirs & Orchestra, St Louis, MO
April 2012 - Collaboration and Community residency with the Oratorio Chorale, performances in Bath and Portland, ME
March 2011 - performedMoshe Denburg's El Ginat Egoz and Janet Danielson's In the Very Highest Place with Xavier University choir, Cincinnati, OH
October 2009 - perform Moshe Denburg's El Ginat Egoz with the Madrigal Singers of Vancouver Community College, conducted by Gerald van Wyck
October 2008 - Premiere of Jin Zhang's 'Ghost Mind' with the Madrigal Singers, conducted by the composer, as part of the Orchid Ensemble's 2008 production 'The Ghost Project'
