Monday, Oct. 15 SUU’s Orchestra had the unique opportunity to play with a guest artist from the Renmin University of China for a night of classical music from as part of SUU’s Music Masterwork Series.
Dr. Fang Zhang is a gifted piano soloist and Chairman of the Music Department of Renmin University.
Dr. Zhang holds a Bachelor of Music degree in piano from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and a Master of Music from Eastman School of Music. During his years at Eastman, he was awarded the Eastman Performers Certificate. This certificate is the highest award for distinction in performance. He completed his education at Capital Normal University of Beijing, China with a Ph.D. in Music Theory and Analysis.
Dr. Zhang has been studying music for many years and is dedicated to his career as an educator. Playing alongside a master pianist who traveled halfway around the world was a rare opportunity for the dedicated students of SUU’s Orchestra.
Dr. Xun Sun, Director of Orchestral Studies at SUU, said, “The SUU Symphony Orchestra has the great opportunity to perform standard repertory works such as Beethoven and Shostakovich, but also has collaborations with faculty, colleagues, and our renowned international guest artist, Dr. Fang Zhang from China. This will be a life learning experience for SUU students.”
The orchestra is comprised of student instrumentalists who rehearse four hours every week throughout the semester. They perform modern compositions and arrangements and combine with SUU’s choirs, opera and other ensembles in collaborative concerts.
They spend months preparing for every concert they perform, and it paid off Monday night.
“Listening to Dr. Zhang play was really amazing,” Holly Richardson, a freshman nutrition major from Burbank, Calif., said, “but I was really very impressed with how well our orchestra did too. I used to play the violin with my high school orchestra and I know how much time they must have spent preparing for this. It was a real treat to be able to come tonight, I’m looking forward to their next performance.”
For a schedule of events and performances visit SUU’s Music Department website.
Story by: Alexis J. Taylor
accent@suunews.net
Photo by: SUU Marketing
