On December 9–12 Pitt's Gamelan Ensemble, directed by Professor Andrew Weintraub and Pitt graduate student Indra Ridwan, joined the Pittsburgh Symphony at Heinz Hall where busloads of fourth graders had the opportunity to explore the cultures and traditions of Asia through music. Gamelan Ensemble performances were interspersed with the PSO's presentations of Dialogue of the Wind and Sea from Debussy's La Mer, The Chinese Dance and Dance of the Mirlitons from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, Polovtzian Dances from Borodin's Prince Igor, and music by two contemporary Chinese composers, Chen Gang (Morning in Miao Ling) and Zhou Tian (First Sight). Throughout the program Professor Weintraub and PSO Resident Conductor Daniel Meyer explained various elements of Asian music and how the different composers incorporated them into the orchestral medium. To learn more about this event visit the Department of Music Blog.