For Immediate Release
For More Information:
Carmel Hearn, 770.578.9765
carmel@oneillcommunications.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COBB COUNTY, GA – Composer and guest artist Jing Wang will join the Cobb Symphony Orchestra (CSO) in the world premiere of Rhapsody No.1 for Erhu and Orchestra. This unique performance headlines the symphony’s third Masterworks Concert of the 2007-08 season on February 23 and 24.

The erhu is sometimes referred to as a “Chinese violin” in America.

“As a performer, Jing Wang has been invited to perform as a guest artist at many distinguished venues around the world,” said Cobb Symphony Orchestra Conductor and Music Director Michael Alexander. “Her extraordinary virtuosity as an erhu composer and soloist is unparalleled. This is a rare opportunity for both the Cobb Symphony Orchestra and audience members.”

Born in China, Wang received a bachelor of music degree from Central Conservatory of Music (China) and master of music degree from Northern Illinois University (NIU). She is currently pursuing a doctor of musical arts degree in composition at the University of North Texas (UNT).

Wang has performed as a guest artist in China, Singapore, Macao, and the United States. She has appeared at Chicago’s East Meets West Music Arts concerts, NIU World Music Series Concerts, the Maud Powell Music Festival, Indiana University’s A Night of Chinese Music concert, and the University of Kentucky World Music Concert. As an erhu soloist, she was selected as the premier winner of the Annual School of Music Concerto Competition at NIU, the only contestant ever who played a non-Western instrument, and has successfully performed erhu concertos with several symphony orchestras in the midwest. Her original composition LÜ (for erhu and computer) was selected and presented at the International Computer Music Conference, SEAMUS (Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States) National Conference, and was the winning work of the Pauline Oliveros Prize given by the International Alliance for Women in Music.

Her compositions have been selected by music festivals in France, Italy, Cuba, Spain, and the United States. She is the recipient of ASCAPLUS Award given by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and was also one of the finalists for the II Electro-Acoustic Miniatures International Contest, Spain, 2004. Currently, Wang works as a teaching fellow in the Composition Department at UNT.

The concert will also feature the exotic pieces, An American In Paris by George Gershwin and Firebird Suite by Igor Stravinsky. Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite is a dazzling masterpiece based on a series of Russian fairy tales. Admired for its brilliant orchestration and harmony, the composition, which brought overnight success to its composer, remains as popular today as at its premiere in 1910. Gershwin, who has been called the most popular composer of the twentieth century, wrote An American In Paris in 1928, inspired by time he had spent in French capital. It is scored for the standard instruments of the symphony orchestra plus celesta, saxophone, and automobile horns.

Performances of CSO’s Masterworks #3: “An Exotic Escapade” will be held on Saturday, February 23, at 8:00 PM and Sunday, February 24 at 3:00 PM at the Dozier Centre, 2250 Stilesboro Road, in Kennesaw, Georgia. Tickets range from $15 to $35.

The CSO is also continuing its "Casual Friday" series in 2008. This is an opportunity to attend open dress rehearsals, held on the Friday evening prior to each Masterworks concert event. For more information or tickets to the Cobb Symphony Orchestra, visit www.CobbSymphony.com or call 770-429-7016 or 1-800-595-4849.

The mission of the Cobb Symphony Orchestra is to enrich the cultural life of Cobb County residents and surrounding communities through education and performances of the highest quality.

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