Experience a fresh take on ancient Chinese melodies as traditional music is infused with modern energy when ensemble Sounds of China, under the direction of composer Ma Jiuyue, performs at the Moss Arts Center on Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

The performance will be held in the center’s Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, located within the Street and Davis Performance Hall at 190 Alumni Mall.

Led by Ma, Sounds of China is a highly polished ensemble from Beijing that blends traditional Chinese music with forward-looking arrangements, mixing the ancient and the modern. While the group incorporates plenty of traditional instruments, their evening performance will be filled with Ma’s arrangements, which recast the ancient melodies into thoroughly contemporary, rock-oriented settings. The works feature electric guitar, synthesizers, and drums, giving the performance a pop-like energy and sheen.

Sounds of China is composed of some of China’s greatest musicians from both the classical world and the pop realm, and Ma incorporates a wide variety of approaches to the ensemble’s performance, mixing in bits of new age, pop, progressive rock, jazz, and cinematic grandeur.

This performance by Sounds of China is supported by Arts Midwest Touring Fund: China Tour, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Directly before the performance by Sounds of China, enjoy a diverse set of traditional Chinese works performed on violin, piano, and hulusi in the Moss Arts Center Grand Lobby. The performance will feature local musicians Victoria Midkiff (age 15) and Erik Midkiff (age 13), along with Zunqing You, and his grandsons Joshua Xie (age 13) and Caleb Xie (age 8).

Composer and director Ma will also lead a workshop for Virginia Tech music students during his visit to Blacksburg.

Tickets

Tickets are $20-45 for general public and $10 for students and youth 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased online; at the Moss Arts Center's box office, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; or by calling 540-231-5300 during box office hours.

While Virginia Tech students can always attend any Moss Arts Center performance for only $10, the center also offers free last-minute rush tickets for students who sign up for text notifications. To receive these notifications, text “arts” to 31996. Availability of rush tickets varies by performance and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last in the box office. Virginia Tech ID will be required for admission.

Parking is available in the North End Parking Garage on Turner Street. Virginia Tech faculty and staff possessing a valid Virginia Tech parking permit can enter and exit the garage free of charge. Limited street parking is also available. Parking on Alumni Mall is free on weekdays after 5 p.m. and on weekends.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Kacy McAllister at 540-231-5300 or email kmcallis@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to an event.

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