Choir Collaboration

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.

audio samples

Life, Death, Tears, Dream Excerpt

Composed By: Yawen V. Wang
(Egret Music Centre Commission)

El Ginat Egoz (Into the Walnut Garden) Excerpt

Composed By: Moshe Denburg
(2006 Orchid Ensemble Commission)

Recorded live with the Memorial University of

Newfoundland and Labrador Chamber Choir,

conducted by Amy Henderson,

at the D. F. Cook Recital Hall on Oct 11, 2007.

zheng performed by previous member Gelina Jiang

photo: conductor Scott Ferguson, Weslyan University, IL

The Repertoire

Original compositions by Canadian and US Composers: Janet Danielsen, David Vayo, Jin Zhang, Ya Wen Wang, David Vayo, John Sharpley and Moshe Denburg.

Arrangements of traditional pieces from Mongolian, Jewish, Taiwanese, Chinese, Central Asian traditions

Click Here for a List of Repertoire, MP3's, Scores, Texts, Audio/Print Pronunciation Aids

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The Process

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 Activities

Ghost_6_-_all_performers October 2009 - perform Moshe Denburg's El Ginat Egoz with the Madrigal Singers of Vancouver Community College, conducted by Gerald van Wyck

November 2008 - Illinois Wesleyan's Symposium of Contemporary Music
Premieres of new works by David Vayo and John Sharpley with the IWU Collegiate Choir, conducted by Scott Ferguson

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'

October 2007 - Premiere of Moshe Denburg's 'El Ginat Egoz (Into the Walnut Garden)' and performance of Ya Wen Wang's 'Life, Death, Tears, Dream' with the MUN Chamber Choir, conducted by Amy Henderson. Recorded for CBC Broadcast

Ghost Project with Madrigal Singers, conducted by Jin Zhang, 2008, photo: Nenad Stevanovic

October 2007 - With the Wheaton Chorale in Norton, MA

August 2007 - Orchid Ensemble and the Egret Ladies Choir at Festival Vancouver

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