LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 24, 2009) − The University of Kentucky School of Music presents a UK World Music Concert, celebrating and showcasing music of Cuba, Scotland, Korea, China, Japan, Turkmenistan and Venezuela performed by Lexington and UK musicians. The event, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at the Singletary Center for the Arts Recital Hall.

The UK World Music Concert is a tradition started by Han Kuo-Huang, a former UK professor of ethnomusicology. The concerts feature the musical talents of the UK Chinese Music Ensemble, which remains under his direction. Alongside the Chinese Music Ensemble, this year's show will serve as a debut for the UK Korean Music Ensemble under the direction of Donna Kwon, assistant professor of ethnomusicology.

Included in this musical celebration will be the sound of the Scots-Irish bagpipe and drums with a performance by the Kentucky United Pipes and Drums.

Other musicians and vocalists from UK featured in the concert are Noemi Lugo, professor of voice, on vocals and cuatro; and student percussionists Kyle Forsthoff, Brad Meyer, Ben Stiers and Brian Nozny, team up on Afro-Cuban bata drums and a Balinese gamelan performing a marimba piece called "Gandrunk" by Bill Alves.

The UK World Music Concert will showcase many visiting musicians, including Tylla Ovezova, from Turkmenistan, who will perform original piano compositions based on Turkmen tunes, and special guest performers Tomoko Yonenaga on Japanese koto zither and Angela Lynn Maske on the Chinese guzheng zither.

For more information on the UK World Music Concert, contact Donna Kwon at (859) 257-8719.