Chinese Fine Arts Society and Fulcrum Point in Chinese Music Concert

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Fulcrum Point's Stephen Burns

Chicago’s Chinese Fine Arts Society (CFAS) is pleased to present the 21st Annual All Chinese Music Concert on Sunday May 16th, 2010 at 3:00pm, at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall located at 78 E. Washington St. This concert presents traditional and contemporary Chinese music and themes in a creative blend of instrumentation and compositional styles, all performed by Chicago’s top professional classical musicians.

The All Chinese Music Concert will feature internationally & locally acclaimed ensemble and solo musicians from Chicago, including special guests from Fulcrum Point New Music Project Stephen Burns, trumpet; Jeff Handley, percussionist; and Brandon Prodjasek, percussionist. Other musicians performing include Gerald Carey, flute; Katherine Jui Chang, piano; David Cunliffe, cello; Desiree Ruhstrat, violin; and the CFAS Chorus (Rita Lopienski, guest conductor, Wen Ming Leung, piano).

Program highlights this year include “Chanted Rituals” by Vivian Fung, “Romance of Hsiao and Ch’in” by Chen Yi, and the world premiere of “Away” by Yang Qing – first prize winner of the 2009 Julia Liu Beijing Composition Competition, sponsored by the Chinese Fine Arts Society. The 21st Annual ACMC Concert also features the premiere of new repertoire pieces for the Music Festival in Honor of Confucius Scholarship Competitions, held annually in October.

Fulcrum Point New Music Project is dedicated to being Chicago’s leader in diverse new music that boldly straddles the barriers between new art music and traditional music from around the world. Fulcrum Point’s primary mission is to ensure a future for new art music by actively commissioning innovative new works, presenting vibrant multi-media performances, and generating novel cultural collaborations and educational programs.

For over twenty-five years, the Chinese Fine Arts Society (CFAS) has nurtured the Chicago public’s interest in Chinese cultural heritage through the form of music and arts, to create a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures. Beginning as a small group of parents eager to create opportunities for their children to learn more about Chinese culture, the group has evolved into a highly visible, multi-level non-profit organization on the center stage of arts and culture. From Chinese art exhibitions to musical events encouraging the learning of Chinese music (Music Festival in Honor of Confucius) to International Music Composition Competitions to large scale presentations in Millennium Park and Navy Pier, the Chinese Fine Arts Society continues to make a positive cultural contribution to the city of Chicago.

Founded in 1984, CFAS provides programs and activities that promote the understanding of Chinese culture through music and other fine arts in Chicago’s culturally diversified society. By presenting traditional and contemporary Chinese music compositions by Chinese composers and performances of Chinese music on western instruments, CFAS hopes to reach a greater number of people and heighten their awareness of the richness of Chinese culture. For more information on the Chinese Fine Arts Society, please visit www.chinesefinearts.org or write to [email protected]