Orchid Ensemble - Heart of the Silk Road Assembly

On the Morning of October 5th, Experiencing the Arts was pleased to host the first assembly program inspired from the Wish List request from the Mascoma High School faculty. The cross curricular and broader community impact of the Experiencing the Arts programs is an area we wish to develop. This past summer, Mascoma's Ancient History teacher, Todd Guilford (Pictured below with Orchid Ensemble), attended a conference on The Heart of the Silk Road and the variety applications its study can offer to numerous curriculums -- geography, ancient history, government, science economics etc. etc.. The teacher passed along information about the Orchid Ensemble Tour (part of the Arts Alliance of Northern NH's Silk Road program). With support from the Byrne Foundation and with Mascoma Principal Patrick Andrew's coordination, we were able to hire the Orchid Ensemble for an assembly October 5th for a 3rd block assembly program. To further benefit interested classes, Experiencing the Arts asked that the Ensemble stay an additional class period after their performance for the Ancient History class, and for other teachers with classes that study China or the developments that arose from the heart of the Silk Road to join them for this fourth block. Study guides are available on the web at orchidensemble.com

"I am pleased that Experiencing the Arts was able to enable a program requested from the faculty. I look forward to coordinating this type of thing more in the future, said Experiencing the Arts Director Christopher Morse."

The Orchid Ensemble is BC's official spokesperson for the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) in Canada. ASPnet helps Canadian schools develop and participate in pilot projects designed to kindle and foster a culture of peace and tolerance and to reinforce the role of education in targeting these goals.

The Orchid Ensemble blends ancient musical instruments and traditions from China and beyond, creating a beautiful new sound that is both creative and distinct. The ensemble has embraced a variety of musical styles to its repertoire, ranging from the traditional and contemporary music of China, World Music, New Music to Jazz and Creative Improvisation. The energetic yet endearing Performance style of the ensemble consistently intrigues and Delights its audiences, consistently receiving standing ovations. Acclaimed as 'One of the brightest blossoms on the world music Scene' (Georgia Straight), the Orchid Ensemble has been tirelessly Developing an innovative musical genre based on the cultural Exchange between Western and Asian musicians.

The Orchid Ensemble regularly collaborates with musicians from a wide variety of world cultures and actively commissions new works by Canadian and US composers for its unique instrumentation. The Ensemble performs regularly in concerts across North America, and at prominent World, Jazz and Folk Music festivals. Recent Appearances include The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.; Canada Day Celebrations and the National Gallery in Ottawa; Vancouver International Jazz Festival; and at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre.

The Orchid Ensemble is BC's official spokesperson for the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) in Canada. ASPnet helps Canadian schools develop and participate in pilot projects designed to kindle and foster a culture of peace and tolerance and to Reinforce the role of education in targeting these goals.