Violins across the Pacific

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In a few weeks, 19 members of Southwest Chamber Music will be traveling to Hanoi for a string of concerts with two of Vietnam’s leading music institutions, part of a partnership set up with a grant from the U.S. State Department.

After that, Southwest and 19 Vietnamese will come to Southern California, where more concerts are scheduled. Concerts in both countries will feature works from up-and-coming Vietnamese and American composers as well as pieces from the older generation of composers.

The Ascending Dragon Music Festival was set up by Southwest after the ensemble traveled to Vietnam in 2006 to hold master classes. Now, the Pasadena-based group is hoping to help lead Vietnam’s musical future -- to more contemporary classical music.

‘When this is over, we will all cry,’ said Thu-Nga Dan, spokeswoman for Southwest.

To read my full story on the exchange, click here.

--My-Thuan Tran