PROGRAM NOTE

This piece, a collaboration between Yenhsing Chen and Dooree Kang, was written for the 3rd Synesthesia Show, "Differentiation" (Peabody X MICA). It contains two parts: a sculpture and a musical composition.

We delve into moments of organic dialogue among different cultures, where established identities blur and transformation brings profound ambiguity. This effort to connect inevitably creates a challenging "gray zone," an uncertainty that sparks true understanding—especially when our communication in a foreign language doesn't quite meet our intention.

Dooree's work reimagines a traditional canvas as a sculptural installation where painting, video, and space converge. By projecting fragments of her daily life in the U.S. onto creased canvas and mesh screens, she investigates the "gray zone" between cultures—an ambiguous, fluid space where misunderstanding, humor, and moments of dissonance coexist and evolve.

Yenhsing's composition explores the interplay between two domains: language and music. The composer first recreates spoken language through meticulous instrumental writing, orchestrating the pitch contour, formants, and consonants of the speaking voice using the ensemble. Subsequently, this rendered speech is developed and transformed into musical material, thereby questioning the precise boundary between language and music. The initial material comes from the transcription of the composer's voice saying, "I hope you enjoy."

PERFORMANCE

Date: October 11-18, 2025
Location: Making Space Bmore, Organized by Synesthesia Spectrum
Opening Performance Oct. 11th, Saturday, 7:00PM
synesthesia-bmore.com/event/

Conductor: Ying Lam Eva Chu
Flute: Ivan Smaltsuga
Clarinet: Renzo DeCarlo
Bassoon: Jonathan Mokry
Violin: Isabel Rushell
Viola: Seoyeon Jun
Cello: Theo Geonhoon Kim
Double bass: Sunwoo Kim
Percussion: Cherri Chen
Percussion: Michael Liu

Recording: Yoonjung Lee
Directors: Yoonjung Lee, Dooree Kang

Yenhsing CHEN Speaking on the Threshold "I Hope You Enjoy It" (2025) for large ensemble

Baltimore–based composer and arranger
Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University
Taipei National University of the Arts