The Alice Gu-Zheng Ensemble, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2002 by Alice and her husband, Kent, who are the instructors. This ensemble has more than forty gu-zheng enthusiasts, ranging from ages six to sixty five, and has held over eighty public performances, June 2002 to May 2008, in Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia.
Among the performances are the Evening Program of the Dedication of Our Lady of China Mosaic, the Washington DC performance in the “Ode To Peace” International Culture and Art Festival held by Penglai City of China, the luncheon program in the National Summit of the US Department of Education, the 11th &12th Annual Asian / Pacific Islander Heritage Month at George Mason University, the gu-zheng performance at Tysons Corner Center, 2006 Lunar New Year Celebration at Montgomery College, 2006 Annual Awards Gala of International Leadership Foundation, the Taste America 2006 at Capital Hill, 2008 APA Celebration Program at Dirksen Senate Building, Keynote Program at the Library of Congress, and 2008 Olympic Trail Qualifiersat Meadowbrook Aquatic Center.
Except playing traditional and contemporary Chinese gu-zheng music, the ensemble also plays some Western and Chinese modern pieces. Because the ensemble locates in the United States and performs in many different places with American audience as well as those from different countries, the ensemble started playing some Western songs and Chinese pop music since 2002 to make the music more interesting and easier for the audience to learn and understand. Among them are as the followings:
Ave, Maria (聖母馬利亞，Arranged by Paul Ma and Alice Kan in 2002),
America, the Beautiful (美麗的美國，Arranged by Alice Kan in 2002),
Edelweiss (雪絨花，Arranged by Alice Kan in 2003),
God Bless America (天佑美國，Arranged by Alice Kan in 2003),
Amazing Grace (奇異的恩典，Arranged by Alice Kan in 2004),
Joy to the world (Arranged by Alice Kan in 2005),
We Promise (我們有約，Arranged by Yui-Keung Kan in 2006),
Song of Prairie (草原之歌，Arranged by Alice Kan in 2006),
Dreaming of Home and Mother (旅愁， Arranged by Alice Kan in 2007),
Chinese Kung Fu (中國功夫，Arranged by Alice Kan in 2007),
Flower Terrace (菊花台， Arranged by Alice Kan in 2007),
Horse Racing(賽馬，Arranged by Alice Kan in 2007.
Throughout the years, this group discovered that many Asian and American people, children and adults, have a great deal of interest in this Chinese musical instrument. The ensemble’s main goal is to introduce this ancient art to the Washington Metropolitan area and let others have opportunity to enjoy this beautiful music.
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Alice GuZheng Ensemble