HKETO brings Chinese music to Chicago public schools

For more information, please contact:
David Hsieh / Melissa Ng at 212-752-3320
Daniel McAtee at 202-238-6360
Wing Yan Tong at 415-835-9315

February 24, 2010 - The Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in New York (HKETO) brought Chinese music to two Chicago public schools with the Windpipe Chinese Ensemble (Windpipe) from Hong Kong. The educational programs are part of the Windpipe U.S. debut tour, which was organized by HKETO.

Through initiatives of the HKETO, the nine members of the Windpipe arrived in Chicago on February 22 and quickly got into performing mode. Two educational programs were arranged. The first one was at the Alexander Graham Bell School on February 23 and the second one was at the Alexandre Dumas Elementary School on February 24.

At both schools, about 500 students, teachers and school staff attended the demonstrations and performances. Members of the Windpipe played on traditional Chinese instruments such as the Sheng, Yangqin, Zhonghu, Yehu and Dizi. They explained the acoustic theory of each instrument and demonstrated how it sounded like by playing a few measures of music. The ensemble then joined to perform some traditional Chinese music.

Both demonstrations met with enthusiastic responses from the students. They asked a lot of questions and expressed interest to hear more Chinese music in the future.

Ms. Monica Chen, Director of the HKETO, said, "the Windpipe performances in Chicago is an amalgamation of East meets West that is truly a reflection of Hong Kong as a city rich in mixed culture and traditions, a legacy inherited from our colorful past.

“Not entirely content with its world-renowned status as an international financial center, Hong Kong is now experiencing an exciting time, as we push ahead with the development of a cultural district, named West Kowloon cultural District (WKCD).

“Located on a 100-acre prime site on our beautiful Victoria Harbor front - 10 time the size of the Millennium Park - the WKCD will be developed into an integrated art and cultural district with world-class facilities, distinguished talents from all over the world, iconic architecture, and quality programs. Phase one development is scheduled to open in 2014/15."

Windpipe will perform in a free concert on February 25 at the Thorne Auditorium of the Northwestern University as part of the annual Spring Reception of the HKETO.

The Windpipe Chinese Ensemble of Hong Kong started their U.S. debut, organized by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in New York, with two educational programs in two public schools in Chicago.