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Press Releases
FedEx promotes cultural exchange by bringing America's finest musicians to Asian audiences
HONG KONG, January 26, 1999 - Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), the world's largest air express transportation company, is proud to be one of the sponsors of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' tour to Asia in 1999. Under the leadership of Music Director Leonard Slatkin, the NSO will visit China for the first time. This will also be the Orchestra's first ever tour to Japan with Mr. Slatkin.
The tour will take place between January 24 and February 10, 1999, and will cover a total of eight cities, namely Beijing and Shanghai in China, Hong Kong and Oita, Nagoya, Hamamatsu, Yokohama and Tokyo in Japan. In Hong Kong, where the NSO has previously visited in 1983, the concert will take place on February 1, at the Hong Kong Cultural Center.
"At FedEx, we believe the diversity celebrated in cultural exchange is essential for a global community. We welcome this opportunity to share American musical heritage with Asia by bringing America's finest orchestra and musicians to Hong Kong, China and Japan," said Michael L. Ducker, President of FedEx Asia Pacific Region.
Furthering its commitment to local communities, FedEx is also arranging a masterclass session with the NSO for the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts on February 1, during the Orchestra's brief stay in Hong Kong. This educational event will allow selected music students from the Academy to play with the Orchestra's music director, concertmaster and principals and gain insightful critiques from the NSO musicians.
"FedEx regards the development of the arts as beneficial to both the local and international communities. Special events like the National Symphony Orchestra's tour to Asia encourage an open exchange of ideas and a celebration of music, which underlines FedEx's commitment to contributing to the local communities," remarked Mr. Ducker.
Now in its 68th season, the NSO has earned acclaim and prestige for its national and international tours and recordings as well as through its extensive community and educational programs. The NSO comprises 100 musicians and presents a 52-week season of approximately 175 concerts each year.
"The opportunity to share a wide and varied repertoire with Asian audiences brings a sense of pride not only of the great European masters, but the music of our own country," commented Leonard Slatkin, the fifth Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra, during the tour. "We are thrilled to be performing compositions from American masters for our Asian friends. The warm appreciation we are receiving is most gratifying and exciting." Repertoire for the tour includes compositions by American greats Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber, John Adams, and Aaron Copeland and European legends.
Grammy-winner Mr. Slatkin, one of today's leading conductors, is acclaimed for his imaginative programming and highly praised interpretations of classic and 20th century orchestral and operatic pieces. In addition to his position with the NSO, he is also featured as a guest conductor with a number of renowned orchestras around the world.
FedEx currently serves more than 30 countries and territories in the Asia Pacific market with over 5,000 employees. The company provides the most extensive trans-Pacific air lift of any major competitor. Operating its own wide-bodied MD-11, DC-10 and A310 aircraft, FedEx offers over 260 flights per week to Bangkok, Beijing, Cebu, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Osaka, Penang, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Subic Bay, Sydney, Taipei and Tokyo, as well as destinations in the US.
FedEx, a subsidiary of FDX Corp., connects areas that generate 90 percent of the world's gross domestic product in 24 to 48 hours with door-to-door, customs-cleared service and a money-back guarantee. The company's unmatched air route authorities and infrastructure make it the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast, reliable and time-definite transportation of more than 3 million items in 211 countries each working day. FedEx has more than 145,000 employees, 44,400 drop-off locations, 624 aircraft and 42,800 vehicles in its integrated global network. The company maintains electronic connections with more than a million customers via FedEx PowerShip®, FedEx Ship®, and FedEx interNetShip®. FedEx reported revenues of US$13.3 billion for its fiscal year ended May 31, 1998.
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