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In the Very Highest Place – Janet Danielson  Michigan State University Choral & Orchid Ensemble conducted by David Rayl Lan Tung – erhu Haiqiong Deng – zheng Jonathan Bernard – percussion

Audio Samples
Life, Death, Tears, Dream – Yawen Wang (Egret Music Centre commission)

Choir Collaboration 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.

Read a feature article on CBC Music
Choral Repertoire List
Choir Study Guide (scores, mp3, pronunciation guide)
Choral repertoire videos

El Ginat Egoz (Into the Walnut Garden) – Moshe Denburg (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

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, and Central Asian traditions

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:

  1. Choose the repertoire: a complete choral repertoire is listed on the ensemble”s website.
  2. Preparation: Download the scores and study guide for the selected repertoire: romanization of the text and audio recordings of pronunciation. (email jb@orchidensemble.com for questions)
  3. Rehearsal: in choir rehearsals, the ensemble members and the choir director will work together to rehearse the materials. The ensemble will assist in the pronunciation and inflection of Chinese text and expressions/ornaments/nuances of the melodies.
  4. Presentation: The choir will join the Orchid Ensemble to perform this repertoire in concert

Combination with Additional Workshops (optional)

  • Discussion and demonstration of Chinese traditional vocal styles
  • Pronunciation and inflection of Chinese languages/dialects
  • Discussion and demonstration of different folk and operatic styles from various regions in China
  • Studies of selected Chinese folk songs
  • Discussion of the relationship between vocal and instrumental music
  • Knowledge of traditional percussion rhythms and vocalization

Recent & Upcoming

May 2018 – Collaboration with Vancouver Bach Choir, Vancouver, BC
Apr 2018 – Collaboration with The Carroll University Choir, Waukesha, WI
Apr 2017 – Collaboration with Michigan Technological University Chamber Singers, conducted by Dr Jared Anderson Houghton, MI
May 2016 – Collaboration with Bel Canto Chorus, Milwaukee, WI
2015 – Collaboration with Michigan State University Choral, conducted by David Rayl
Feb 2015 – Collaboration with Asbury Chorale (Asbury University), Wilmore, Kentucky, conducted by Dr. Vicki Bell
Nov 2014 – Collaboration with Dona Ana Youth Choir
2014 – Collaboration with New Mexico State University Singers, conducted by David Klement
March 2014 – Collaboration with choir conductor Kevin Meidl, Appleton, WI
March 2014 – Ashland, WI
March 2013 – Collaboration with the choirs of both the Kent and Stark campuses, 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 – Collaboration with Xavier University Choir, Cincinnati, OH
October 2009 – Collaboration with the Madrigal Singers of Vancouver Community College, conducted by Gerald van Wyck
November 2008 – Appeared at Illinois Wesleyan”s Symposium of Contemporary Music, premiered new works by David Vayo and John Sharpley with the IWU Collegiate Choir, conducted by Scott Ferguson
October 2008 – Premiered 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 – Premiered Moshe Denburg”s El Ginat Egoz (Into the Walnut Garden) and performed Ya Wen Wang”s Life, Death, Tears, Dream with the MUN Chamber Choir, conducted by Amy Henderson. Recorded for CBC Broadcast
October 2007 – Collaboration with the Wheaton Chorale in Norton, MA
2006 – Collaboration with Egret Choirs at Orchid Ensemble’s production “Parting at Yang Kuan”, Vancouver, BC
2005 – Collaboration with Egret Choirs at ProMusica’s Further East Further West series