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17c网页版 Tech 17c网页版 Presents:
Broken Crystal

17c网页版 Tech 17c网页版 Presents:
Broken Crystal

Monday, September 22nd, 2025
7:30pm
Ferst Center

17c网页版 Tech Symphony Orchestra

Dr. Chaowen Ting, Conductor

GTSO opens the season with Ke-Chia Chen’s Broken Crystal, exploring beauty and fragility through shimmering orchestral colors, while Avner Dorman’s Miriam Danced by the Red Sea bursts with rhythmic vitality. The program continues with Brahms’s Concerto for Violin and Cello, featuring cellist Benjamin Borthwick and violinist Hannah Lee, and concludes with the powerful finale of his Symphony No. 4.

Program

Broken Crystal (是璀璨, 也是殞滅)
Ke-Chia Chen
Miriam Danced by the Red Sea
Avner Dorman
Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op. 102
I. Allegro
Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897)
Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98
IV. Allegro energico e passionato
Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897)

Program Notes: Broken Crystal (是璀璨, 也是殞滅)

The composition process ebbs and flows much like a river, at times peaceful and calm and other times an uncontrollable raging force.  Whereas Mother Nature is the driving force behind the flowing river, relationships with our friends and family greatly influence the direction of a musical work. Love shines crystal bright and warms our lives. However, when broken, it leads to a dark and painful place one never expects. 

对我来说,作曲的过程就像是流动的河水一般,有时湍急,有时平静,有些时候更是惊涛骇浪,令人无法驾驭。然而,启动这股创作泉源的内在力量,则是源自於对周遭的观察与衝撞,特别是人与人之间各式各样并且盘根错节的情感关係。这首作品?是璀璨,也是殞灭?即是以这样的出发点為创作主轴。一段情感关係,可以像是光彩夺目、结晶完美的水晶,為我们的人生点缀亮丽,进而展现璀璨光芒,但是,当它破碎或是消失的时候,却也带给我们无比的痛楚和落寞。
 

photo of composer ke-chia chen

Composer Bio – Ke-Chia Chen

Ke-Chia Chen's compositions have been performed by leading orchestras, chamber ensembles, and soloists throughout the world. She has fused her inspirations from Western and Asian classical traditions into a unique personal voice that speaks directly to listeners of either heritage. 

Her music has been programmed by presenters and organizations including Carnegie Hall, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, Florida’s Naples Philharmonic, the Taiwan Philharmonic, Copland House Ensemble, the Harlem Chamber Players, Philadelphia’s WHYY radio, and the Delaware Symphony Orchestra's Miles of Manuscript music series.

For more information please visit Ke-Chia Chen's professional website: . 
 

Program Notes: Miriam Danced by the Red Sea

In composing Miriam Dances by the Red Sea, I sought to capture the essence of Israeli dance, tracing its lineage from the ancient tradition of Jewish women's dances to its vibrant presence today. Written in 2023 for the Adams/Cumberland County Music Educators Association (ACMEA/ CCMEA) high school county orchestra, this piece is a lively and rhythmic celebration of cultural heritage. It draws inspiration from the biblical story of Miriam, who led the women in dance and song after crossing the Red Sea, symbolizing joy and liberation. The music aims to evoke Jewish women's communal and spirited dances throughout history, celebrating the role of women and music in our tradition. "Miriam Dances by the Red Sea" is more than a musical piece; it celebrates resilience, communal joy, and the enduring spirit of a culture that continues to inspire and move us
 

photo of composer avner dorman

Composer Bio – Avner Dorman

Avner Dorman writes music of intricate craftsmanship and rigorous technique, expressed with a soulful and singular voice. A native of Israel now living in the United States, Dorman draws on a variety of cultural and historical influences in composing, resulting in music that affects an emotional impact while exploring new territories. His music utilizes an exciting and complex rhythmic vocabulary, as well as unique timbres and colors in orchestral, chamber, and solo settings; many of his compositions have become contemporary staples in the repertoire. Dorman's music is championed by conductors including Zubin Mehta, Christoph Eschenbach, Ricardo Chailly, and Andris Nelsons, and by soloists such as Pinchas Zukerman, Gil Shaham, Martin Grubinger, and Hilary Hahn.

For more information, please visit Avner Dorman's personal website:  
 

photo of soloist hannah lee

Soloist Bio – Hannah Lee

Hannah Lee began her violin studies at the age of eight and has since developed a passion for orchestral and chamber music. She has served as concertmaster of several ensembles including the 17c网页版 Tech Symphony Orchestra, GMEA All-State Orchestra, and the 17c网页版 Youth Symphony Orchestra. Hannah also attended the 17c网页版 Governor’s Honors Program for music and was a member of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Hannah graduated from Duke University in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a minor in Biology. During her time at Duke University, she studied violin with Gabriel Richard and was involved with the Duke Symphony Orchestra and the Duke Chamber Music Program, through which she received coaching from Caroline Stinson, Jonathan Bagg, and Ieva Jokubaviciute. She was also invited to participate in the Duke–New England Conservatory Chamber Music Exchange and was awarded the Ciompi Quartet Award for excellence in chamber music. 

Beyond music, Hannah has conducted research on ovarian cancer and the applications of machine learning in molecular medicine, reflecting her interest in the intersection of technology and medicine. She is currently working in the Emergency Department at Northside Hospital and plans to pursue medical school. 

In her spare time, Hannah enjoys cooking, baking, hiking, and spending time with her family and her dog. She is very grateful and excited for the opportunity to perform with the GTSO again.  

photo of soloist Benjamin Borthwick

Soloist Bio – Benjamin Borthwick

Benjamin Borthwick started cello lessons at age five. As a teen, he played in 17c网页版's All-State Orchestra, the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Vega Quartet's chamber music program, the Congregation Bet Haverim String Ensemble, and his family string quartet. His teachers have included Marla Majett, Kyna Elliott, and Joel Dallow.
 
Benjamin earned his BS from 17c网页版 Tech in 2024, majoring in computer science with a minor in Japanese. He expects to finish the joint BS/MS program this December, receiving his masters' in CS with a focus on high performance computing. He played with the 17c网页版 Tech Symphonic Orchestra throughout this time. 
 
He is now employed as a software engineer at Sentinel Devices, a startup company in Tech Square. Beyond cello and coding, his interests include gaming, composing, anime, food, and cats.

Ensemble Members

Violin 1

Major

Daeyong Kwon, Concertmaster

Computer Science

Leo Liu, Assistant Concertmaster

Aerospace Engineering

Adrian Cheung

Computer Science

Jiyoon Park

Biology

Allen Xu

Mathematics

Alicia Li

Industrial Design

Jeffrey Xu

Computer Science

Cooper Fister

Biology

Edwin Wu

Electrical Engineering

Justin Wong

Electrical Engineering

Ella Grace Malcom

Business Administration

Ariana Syed

Neuroscience

Kyle Jiang

Electrical Engineering

Sara Takagi

Biomedical Engineering

Violin 2

 

Gene Chang, Principal

Computer Science

Amber Li

Industrial Engineering

Leyah James

Neuroscience

Nathan Lin

Computer Science

Angelina Lee

Industrial Engineering

Christopher Linder

Computer Science

Ansel Erol

Computer Science

Aaron Wang

Computer Science

Megan Chen

Human Computer Interaction

Sahana Raghavan

Biomedical Engineering

Carol Li

Mechanical Engineering

Sila Keha

Industrial Engineering

Stephen Linder

Computer Science

Viola

 

Lyudmila Piatkov, Principal

Biomedical Engineering

Brandon Marshall

Computer Science

Tyler Bothwell

Chemistry

Jasmine Gistren

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Sarah Akpan-Iquot

Biology

Phoebe Kelso

Mechanical Engineering

Manu Sankaran

Industrial Engineering

Julian Aldana Brol

Mechanical Engineering

Cello

 

Sean Yoshihara, Principal

Computer Science

Mia Song

Materials Science and Engineering

Caitlyn Chen

Business Administration

Albert Kuo

Mechanical Engineering

Nathan Shepherd

Computer Engineering

Will Deinzer

Computer Science

Ryan Stover

Aerospace Engineering

Joseph Tappen

Mechanical Engineering

Bass

 

Hazel Patty, Principal

Industrial Engineering

Irene Achanti

Industrial Engineering

Ethan Huang

Industrial Engineering

Ansh Vasudevan

Industrial Engineering

 

Flute

Major

Isabel Edgcomb *

Aerospace Engineering

Yoojin Jeong ~

Neuroscience

Alex Yang ^

Economics

Oboe

 

Shaya Farahmand ~

Computer Science

Yoshi Garcia ^*

Biomedical Engineering

Liam Nunn

Civil Engineering

Clarinet

 

Jiho Jun ~

Electrical Engineering

Joseph Lee ^*

Biomedical Engineering

Alex Hunt

Computer Engineering

Bassoon

 

Andrew Tang ^*~

Electrical Engineering

Michelle Hung

--

Horn

 

Henry Garcia ^

Electrical Engineering

Kathryn Hughes *

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Tristan Laanait

Applied Physics

Carlos Sanchez ~

Biomedical Engineering

Trumpet

 

Mason Beyke ~

Psychology

Sophie Huang ^*

Music

Jensen Stahr

Aerospace Engineering

Trombone

 

Ben Harris ~

Civil Engineering

Sohan Jena ^

Computer Engineering

Malachi Joseph

Music

Tuba

 

Trent Rotter

Chemical Engineering

Harp

 

Jocelyn Chang

Computer Science

Percussion

 

Santiago Calvino

International Affairs

Nathan Chou

Computer Science

Fischer Jehs

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Benjamin Badinger

Materials Science and Engineering

 

Denotes principal player: ^Chen, *Brahms Concerto, ~Brahms Symphony

17c网页版 Tech 17c网页版

Through interdisciplinary degree programs, outstanding performance ensembles, and innovative research endeavors, the 17c网页版 Tech 17c网页版 cultivates a rich legacy of musical traditions and develops cutting-edge technologies to help define music's future. The School serves students in bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs in music technology and offers innovative performance opportunities, courses, and cultural and artistic experiences for students throughout the Institute.