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 162 public performances in Washington DC area from June 2002 to February 2012. This ensemble was invited to perform at different universities, government departments, libraries, as well as shopping centers. Such as: George Manson University, John Hopkins University, Montgomsery College, NASA, Capital Hill, Library of Congress, Senator Building, US Department of Education, DC Mayor's Office, and Tysons Corner, etc.
Among the performances are the Evening Program of the Dedication of Our Lady of China Mosaic, the 2002 “Ode To Peace” (和平頌) International Culture and Art Festival at Sylvan Theater on the grounds of the Washington Monument(華盛頓紀念碑公園), the 2002 luncheon program in the National Summit of the US Department of Education(美國教育部), 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 (國會山莊), 2008 APA Celebration Program at Dirksen Senate Building (參議院), 2008 Keynote Program at the Library of Congress (國會圖書館), and 2008 Olympic Trail Qualifiersat Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, "Spotlight by Starlight" at Amphitheater in 2009, the Moon Festival(金秋月圓) at GMU Concert Hall of Center of the Arts, Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2010 (史密松尼博物館20l0民俗文化節) at the National Mall, DC, the second Washington Metropolitan Miss Chinese American Pageant at Strathmre Music Center (第二届大華府華裔小姐大賽) and the National Opera Ball 2011 at Embassy of the People's Republic of China.
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 2008),
Horse Racing (賽馬,Arranged by Alice Kan in 2008),
A Chevalier's Laugh (滄海一聲笑, Arranged by Alice Kan in 2008),
Fearless (霍元甲, Arranged by Alice Kan in 2009),
Do Re Mi (Theme of "Sound of Music", Arranged by Alice Kan in 2009),
ShangHai Beach (上海灘, Arranged by Alice Kan in 2009),
Medley of Hong Kong Golden Songs (香港影視金曲聯奏, Arranged by Alice Kan in 2009),
Do Re Mi - Duet (Theme of "Sound of Music", Arranged again as a duet by Alice Kan in 2010),
Jasmine Flowers (茉莉花, Arranged by Alice Kan in 2010),
God Bless America - Duet (天佑美國,Arranged again as a duet by Alice Kan in 2010),
America, the Beautiful - Duet (美麗的美國,Arranged again as a duet by Alice Kan in 2010),
Man of Strength and Determination (男兒當自強,Arranged by Alice Kan in 2010),
Flowers Blossom around a Chamber in a Night of Full Moon (鮮花滿月樓,Arranged by Alice Kan in 2010),
Adventuring from Mountains to Waters Fearlessly (萬水千山縱横,Arranged by Alice Kan in 2010),
Medley of Hong Kong Kung Fu Movie Songs (俠骨柔情話香江,Arranged by Alice Kan in 2010),
Medley of Taiwanese Famous Songs [宝島情懷(組曲),Arranged by Alice Kan in 2011],
Olive Tree (橄欖樹,Arranged by Alice Kan in 2011),
Dark Sky (天黑黑,Arranged by Alice Kan in 2011),
Sweetness (甜蜜蜜,Arranged by Alice Kan in 2011),
Plum Blossom (梅花,Arranged by Alice Kan in 2011),
With All My Love (媽媽好,Arranged by Alice Kan in 2011).
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.
|