Grand Rapids, Michigan (Sept. 15, 2003) --- East meets West when Aquinas College hosts a concert by the Orchid Ensemble on Tuesday, October 7, 2003, at 7:30 p.m.. The performance is free and open to the public. It will be held in Kretschmer Recital Hall of the College's Art and Music Center. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the Orchid Ensemble.

The Orchid Ensemble blends musical traditions and instruments from China, Europe and beyond, creating an innovative and distinct new sound. From the tranquil beauty of the zheng, to the rich textures of the marimba, and the soaring splendor of the erhu, they present a beautiful blend of musical techniques and styles. This unique combination of instruments creates a fascinating tapestry of musical textures and colors, which consistently intrigue and delight their audiences.

Orchid Ensemble bring a variety of musical styles to their performances, ranging from traditional and contemporary pieces of the many regions of China, to New Music, World Music and Jazz. They are also regularly developing new collaborations with musicians and composers from a wide variety of world cultures.

Acclaimed as a "rapidly rising stars in the Mecca of multi-cultural music," the Orchid Ensemble have been actively performing in concerts and festivals throughout Canada and the U.S., with bookings as diverse as the Kennedy Centre for the Arts in Washington, D.C., The Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the Detroit Festival of the Arts, Toronto's Harbourfront Centre and The Seattle Symphony Society.