Music Society Director Applauds High Calibre of 'Spectacular' Performers

OTTAWA—Ottawa Chamber Music Society (OCMS) executive director Glenn Hodgins applauded the Chinese New Year Spectacular in Ottawa with generous praise after seeing the show.

"Very nice, very interesting show, wonderful dancers, the musicians are all so well prepared, fantastic. Congratulations!" said Hodgins.

"The calibre of the dancing and the musicians was excellent. Very well-thought out, well-choreographed, very professionally done," he added.

Hodgins is an accomplished pianist and has juried for Classical Album of the Year for Canada's Juno Awards. The OCMS is the group that runs the annual Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, billed as the largest festival of its kind in the world.

Commenting on the combination of Eastern and Western music and instruments featured in the show, Hodgins said, "It's very interesting to blend and bring the different traditions together."

"It's a terrific opportunity for the musicians to work together to learn from each other to share their artistic excellence. We see this a great deal more and more, I think, where it's possible to combine the culture and musical styles—very successful."

The show "sends a very strong message from the Chinese culture. Also [there is] such a fantastic presence from the Asian community here. Obviously we're all living in one community and we can all enjoy the arts and culture and the common message."

Along with the drumming which he enjoyed very much, he said he particularly found the depth of the performances "very intriguing," pointing to "exquisite dancing and exquisite messages" that were in the show.

Hodgins has only recently moved to Ottawa. "It's my first time [at the show]," he said, "and I'm looking forward to next year already."

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts shows that will perform in over 60 cities worldwide in 2008. To find a show near you, please visit www.bestchineseshows.com.