...„, ~., T H E ----- . , 111 , P:NNSTATE VI 1 RP Erie e 111 Cl i ko October 25, 2002 lICT IP 0 itio2 =-18 Pages No. 1 Vol. L BEHA L ,„„ l oi_LLGE Silk Road brings music of China to Behrend by Erinn Hansen calendar page editor Silk Road Music provided Behrend with loads of talent at the second concert of the Logan Wintergarden Series, which is organized by Dr. Daniel Barnard, professor of music and conductor of the Concert Choir and Studio Singers at Behrend. "This is one of the most eclectic groups we have ever had," said Barnard. The original Silk Road Music, which consisted of only two members, has been together for 12 years. The original group met in Vancouver, British Columbia, which has a big Chinese community. It was changed from and grown to what it is now. Silk Road Music is a Chinese touring group that includes five talented musicians who have been playing for at least 30 years. It appreciates the potential for music in intercultural communication. Qiu Xia He plays the pipa, a traditional Chinese four-stringed lute. Zhi Min Yu plays the ruan, a traditional Chinese instrument that sounds similar to a mandolin. Feng Jun Wang is a vocalist. Willy Miles sings and plays bass guitar. Andre Thibault plays the acoustic guitar, percussion, and the oud, which is an instrument of the lute family used in southwest Asia and northern Africa. The ensemble performs at least 100 concerts a year performing a number of songs, 10 of which were featured during the concert at Behrend. These songs include "Lift Your Veil," "Valt," "Washing Song," "Clouds Irish Impressions," "My Home Town is Beijing," "Fen Yang Flower Drum," and "Gao Shan Qing," all of which were written by He. Other songs included "Nomad's Rustic Song," by Mark Arminini, "Gotenete," by Celso Machado, and "Jasmine Flower," written by He and Thibault. All of the songs that were performed varied in volume and tempo, going from fast to slow, loud to soft, or vice versa. Along with that, most of the songs featured crowd participation, especially "Washing Inquiring students visit Behrend by Kassi Hindman staff writer different parts of the campus. On the tour they were given a brief history of Penn State Behrend and also The sky was gray, the rain came down, and the air shown some of the different buildings where they was cold on Saturday at Penn State Behrend. would be attending classes. However, this did not stop the many high school and Many students also saw the dorm rooms. Certain transfer students and parents who visited the college rooms were open for viewing and providing a feel to see if it was the right place for them. for what dorm life would be like. They could also The day started in the lobby of McGarvey enjoy their lunch in Dobbins or Brunos. Commons, where visitors were able to register and Any question a student may have had could receive packets of information on the day's events. probably have been answered during the open house. PHOTO BY HEATHER MYERS / BEHREND BEACON Prospective Behrend students learn about the college at an information fair Saturday. They could then go into the commons to the Professors, counselors, students, and many more information fair. There they could speak with representatives were available to answer any representatives from many different areas, such as questions. When asked what she thought set the Army, the Health and Wellness Center, the Behrend's open house apart from other schools, Computer Center, Housing, and security. The Andrea Konkol, an admission counselor, said that it different departments were also available to tell about was "the personal attention we give the people that the majors they offered and to hand out information. they might not get at other institutions." The families were also able to go on a walking NEWS 1-5 ADS 6, 14 EDITORIAL 7 nsile CAMPUS WIRE 8 HUMOR 9 FEATURES 10 , --, ~. - 1. .,? . ,4109 --- )7 _ ~.t . „ ~,. •` Penn State Erie ,Sttuient i Lit,11(..t.i1:,..,:., PHOTO BY HEATHER MYERS / BEHREND BEACON Silk Road Music, a five-person Chinese ensemble, performs during Thursday's Music at Noon concert. The group includes Qiu Xia He, Zhi Min Yu, Feng Jun Wang, Willy Miles, and Andre Thibault. Song," with percussion, and "Jasmine Flower." During "Washing Song," which had two parts, Silk Road Music chose four children out of the crowd to play with the group. These children used different percussion instruments to help the group perform. In "Jasmine Flower," a children's choir that has practiced with the group performed on stage, even doing a solo. The crowd was also invited to join in towards the end of the song. Besides the concert at Behrend, Silk Road Music has played in many other places, including San Francisco, New York, Louisville, Charlotte, Seattle, tour of the campus led by a Lion ambassador. Many families did venture out into the rainy day to see the CALENDAR 11 A&E 12-13 SPORTS 1-4 B and Philadelphia, where they will be returning next year hopes to continue to succeed. for their next concert. The Wintergarden Series was developed by Kay The ensemble has also played in international Logan in 1990 to share the joy of music with others. locations such as England, France, and many festivals The series was made to create a welcome environment, in Canada, including the Jazz Festival in Quebec. provide students with an to opportunity to interact with Silk Road Music provided a spectacular performance the artists through dialogue. at the Wintergarden Series, as could be seen in the The series has grown steadily and has become a reactions of the audience. public event, involving seniors, disabled children, and "The audience reaction was terrific," said Barnard. public school groups. The series continues on Nov "I really liked it," said Leann Bartomioli. "The sound 12 with the Marian Anderson String Quartet was beautiful." The ensemble recently recorded an album featuring many of the songs performed, and NEWSROOM: 898-6488 E-MAIL: Offices are located FAX: 898-6019 behrcolls@aol.corn downstairs in the Reed Union Building ikwk)P
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