Contest Winners to Represent Sino-American Cultural Exchange in Performance

SAN FRANCISCO and SEATTLE, Aug. 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, local musicians Greg Kramer and members of San Francisco ensemble ViBO Simfani were chosen as the winners of a contest associated with the Guangdong National Orchestra of China's (GNOC) inaugural visit to North America. The winners, who were selected by a panel of judges and musicians representing the GNOC, will perform on the opening nights of the orchestra's tour stops in San Francisco and Seattle in September. Accompanied by orchestra members, the local players will perform "Tian Mi Mi," a piece of traditional Chinese music, on September 9 in San Francisco's Palace of the Fine Arts Theatre, and on September 12 in Seattle's Benaroya Hall, also home to the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

Coinciding with the traditional Chinese Moon Festival, the GNOC is making its U.S. debut with a brand new storytelling cycle – the Silk Road Melody. Blending experiences of traditional Cantonese music and a world tour, GNOC has integrated western musical instruments into this musical epic to create a one-of-a-kind aural experience for American audiences. This new program, Silk Road Melody, was composed by Chinese composer Zhao Jiping, well-known for writing the scores of such films as Farewell, My Concubine and Red Sorghum, and as part of Yo-yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble.

The performances, which aim to promote cultural exchange through music and the arts, are produced by the China Arts and Entertainment Group, affiliated with China's Ministry of Culture. The contest, which sought creative entries that tapped into local Chinese musical talents, was launched to encourage the communities of San Francisco and Seattle to participate in the GNOC's cross-cultural mission.

"Both CAEG and the GNOC are very excited to cooperate with ViBO Simfani and Mr. Kramer to show the West Coast what beautiful music can come out of U.S.-Chinese exchange," said Li Jin, vice president of the China Arts and Entertainment Group. "We respect the talent and dedication not only of our winners, but of all the individuals who took the time to create submissions for our contest."

In San Francisco, local ensemble ViBO Simfani will play along with the Guangdong National Orchestra. The ensemble plays an eclectic range of world music, bringing together elements of classical music, latin jazz and Brazilian styles to make something new. The group is made up of members Victor Lin (violin, mandolin and vocals), Brian Einstein Lassiter (clarinet and flute), Javier Trujillo (guitar), Jordan Bryst (bass) and David Laderman (percussion), as well as other musicians.  

In Seattle, the orchestra will be joined by Greg Kramer, local trombone player, photographer and producer. Mr. Kramer plays with local recording artists including Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Grace Love & the True Loves, Sol and others.

"Playing with the GNOC is a great opportunity to learn a new style of music and expand my cultural horizons," said Mr. Kramer. "I am looking forward to the performance and to having the chance to cooperate with such talented musicians on this interesting project."

About the Guangdong National Orchestra of China

Founded in 1949, the Guangdong National Orchestra of China (GNOC) is among the elite national Chinese folk music performance groups. One of the most influential orchestras in China, GNOC has inherited Cantonese-style folk music, and has been dedicated to helping develop and promote it throughout its 67-year history. Most of the orchestra's 70 musicians are from the Cantonese region, and their deep love and understanding for Cantonese music make them the best and strongest spokespersons for their own cultural heritage.

Not only is the GNOC successfully spreading Cantonese music across China, but over the years they have also brought their performances to a number of other countries, including Singapore, Japan, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Czech Republic.

About the China Arts and Entertainment Group

The China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG) is the largest company of its kind in China in the entertainment and arts exhibition field. CAEG was founded in 2004 with the merger of the China Performing Arts Agency (CPAA) and the China International Exhibition Agency (CIEA). The two agencies are China's largest suppliers and operators of Chinese performing arts and art exhibitions around the globe. For more than 50 years, CPAA and CIEA have accumulated rich experience and cultivated an excellent reputation by taking on thousands of governmental cultural exchange projects and commercial stage performances.

CAEG has successfully organized the staging of many classic musicals, including "CATS," "MAMMA MIA!" and the Irish tap extravaganza "Riverdance," which were warmly received by domestic audiences.

SOURCE China Arts and Entertainment Group