During the summer, percussionist Tricia Mangat provided training sessions to our percussion section.

Herdsmen’s New Song 牧民新歌
Dizi: Lipeng Wu

Tune from Yangzhou 揚州小調
Erhu: Patty Chan

Herdsmen’s New Song 牧民新歌
Dizi: Frederick Yiu

Harvest Festival Dance 祭樂歡舞
Conductor: Tony K.T. Leung

Meet Lipeng, an international student currently here on a work internship

TCO: How long have you been with the TCO?
L: Since late July in 2010.

TCO: What instrument do you play and how long have you been playing?
L: I play the dizi (Chinese bamboo flute). I have been playing since I was in grade 1, which was in 1993. It has been almost 17 years now.

Meet Calvin, a member of the wind section.

TCO: How long have you been with the TCO?
C: I’m a new member to TCO. Just joined last year 2009.

TCO: What keeps you coming back?
C: I am highly appreciative of TCO for their relentlessness in bringing Chinese traditional music to the Canadian society. Through the regular rehearsals, performances and gatherings, I got to know the orchestra and other members better, and a very special kind of chemistry has been built up already. Each performance, just like an assigned project, is fully dedicated to bringing the best Chinese music to broad audience. The excitement from the success of each performance is hard to describe in words. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be part of this exciting adventure.

Meet Andrea, the youngest of the Chan sisters power trio.

TCO: How long have you been with the TCO?
A: I’ve been with TCO for about 4 – 5 years.

TCO: What keeps you coming back?
A: Playing together as a whole, listening to other sections and trying to help each other improve by practicing. It is more fun to make music with people who enjoy it and play with passion.

Meet Lawrence, a member from the bowed strings section.

TCO: How long have you been with the TCO?
L: Too long….(thinking….) Maybe since 2000.

TCO: What keeps you coming back?
L: Challenging. Since I am not very skilled but every concert seems to have some pieces harder than the last one. It pushes me to upgrade myself. But most important is the group and the people. They are all very good friends and care for each other. We are like a big happy family.

Meet Jaimie, the eldest of the Chan sisters power trio.

TCO: How long have you been with the TCO?
J: I have been with TCO for about 5-6 years.

TCO: What keeps you coming back?
J: My father, sisters, and everyone else in the orchestra keep me coming back. I have far too many good memories with many of the members.

TCO: What instrument do you play and how long have you been playing?
J: I currently play the double bass and have been playing it for about 4-5 years.

Meet Soraya, a long time member from the plucked string section.

TCO: How long have you been with the TCO?
S: Since 1996.

TCO: What keeps you coming back?
S: Well as Jamie said, it’s more fun to play with others. And I also like my midnight snack with other members after the practice on Friday night. Ha Ha Ha!!!!

TCO: What instrument do you play and how long have you been playing?
S: I play the Daruan. Since 2002.

Meet Agnes, a veteran youth of TCO

TCO: How long have you been with the TCO?
A: I have been with TCO for 5 to 6 years.

TCO: What keeps you coming back?
A: The family-like members TCO, and my father and my siblings who are also in the orchestra makes every rehearsal so welcoming and fun! TCO definitely provided me with the many unforgettable opportunities to travel in different places and for different audiences. Also, my passion for playing the cello and learning not only western but the chinese styles of music keeps me coming back.

Conductor Karl Pang and pianist Ken Yang in discussion.