LANDSCAPES. The Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra's March 15 show will feature Dr. Matthew Poon and soloist Lina Cao, pictured. (Background photo by Timothy Mather)

The Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra (ECCO) will welcome its second guest conductor, Dr. Matthew Poon from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UW-Eau Claire), and featured soloist Lina Cao playing the guzheng, a Chinese plucked zither, on Saturday, March 15 at 7:30pm in the JAMF Theater at the Pablo Center.

The theme of the March concert is "Landscapes," with musical selections including Joseph Haydn’s “Fire” Symphony, Rui Wang’s “Waves of the Sea,” Felix Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides,” and the “Overture, Scherzo & Finale” by Robert Schumann. 

“Waves of the Sea” features the Chinese guzheng, which is described as sounding like flowing water. The composition evokes scenes from Wang’s hometown, including mountain views, ocean waves on the shore, and flying seagulls.

“Hebrides” was inspired by Mendelssohn’s visit to the Hebrides Islands off the west coast of Scotland.

Cao is a guzheng instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario and a member of the Toronto Musicians Association, the American Federation of Musicians, and Guzheng Society of the Chinese Musicians Association. She received a master’s degree from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and received popular acclaim in China and Canada with her appearances as a solo and chamber musician.

Dr. Poon is an assistant professor of music theory at UW-Eau Claire. He is also Music Director of the St. Croix Valley Orchestra and of the Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony. Prior to arriving in Eau Claire, he taught at Oberlin College in Ohio, Tyndale University in Toronto, and the University of Toronto. In addition, he continues to advise and guest conduct the Canadian Chinese Orchestra in Toronto.

Tickets to the March 15 ECCO show are available at pablocenter.org • Keep up with ECCO online