The TaiHei Ensemble (pronounced “tie-hey”) is a new music ensemble in Eugene, OR, formed with the goal of exploring and enacting international dialogs across the Pacific Rim through music. In the 21st-century, now more than ever, the pursuit of cross-cultural interchange and understanding is an important part of our world, and we believe that it should thus be reflected through our art.

Music of “cross-cultural dialog” takes many forms, such as mixed ensembles of western and non-western instruments, compositions for western ensemble inspired by non-western musical traditions, and pieces that are only programmatically cross-cultural. With our rotating membership, including western chamber musicians as well as instrumentalists proficient on non-western instruments, we are excited to share these different explorations with our audiences.

The TaiHei Ensemble is currently under the directorship of Simon Hutchinson, a PhD candidate in composition at the University of Oregon. Simon’s work as a composer and performer is inspired by his extended studies in Japan with shamisen virtuoso Sato Choei. Additionally, Simon has studied Japanese shakuhachi with Sato Chikuen, Korean gayageum with Prof. Eun-Ah Kwak, West Javanese Gamelan with Undang Sumarna, and Balinese Gamelan with Wayne Vitale and Dr. Robert Kyr.

You may contact Simon at: simon [at-sign] taiheiensemble [period] com

The TaiHei Ensemble is always seeking new music to perform. If you are a composer interested in submitting a work to us, please see the instructions on our call for scores page.