Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Rock Creek World Music Series offers glimpse into culture

Photos and story by Meryl Lipman

The 2011 Portland Community College Rock Creek World Music Series kicks off on Friday, Feb. 11 with a Koto performance by classical traditional Japanese musician Yukiko Vossen, who will give a Koto (Japanese harp/zither) performance and speak about Koto history and tradition.

Vossen was born in Yamaguchi, educated at Seiha Conservatory of Japanese Music, where she graduated with honors, and has studied music therapy at Marylhurst. She is a member of the world music troupe, Thousand Waves. The Koto has been called the national instrument of Japan. The Koto is made of kiri wood and has 13 strings strung over movable bridges across the width of the instrument.

All performances that are part of this series take place at 11 a.m., Room 114, Building 3, over three Fridays – Feb. 11, 18 and 25. The World Music Series is hosted by the Rock Creek World Music Class and sponsored by ASPCC. These events are free and open to the public.

On Feb. 18, Rock Creek will be treated to a Sitar performance by Sandeep Koranne. A Sitar virtuoso who has been playing since the age of eight, Koranne has performed on All India Radio, Pioneer Courthouse Square, PCC Art Beat 2010, and in many other venues. He will be accompanied on the Tabla by Sai Kiran, and he will give a talk after the concert on Raga music.

The final concert, on Feb. 25, involves a Taiko Drumming performance by Kazuyo Ito, a Taiko master who has performed at Disney World, and with Taiko ensembles in Florida, California, Canada and Japan. An ancient Japanese tradition, Taiko drums were brought to Japan between 500 BC and 300 AD, but the modern incarnation of Taiko drumming began in Japan in 1951 and has increased in popularity ever since. Ito will also have a discussion after her concert.