The Bard Chinese Ensemble (BCE) presents an evening of music that brings together the beauty of Chinese traditions and the excitement of musical exploration. The concert begins with student chamber groups performing works inspired by traditional melodies, folk music, and contemporary compositions. Following intermission, the full ensemble takes the stage, traveling from the musical landscapes of The Silk Road to the expressive melodies and lively rhythms of Astor Piazzolla’s tangos, before closing with the uplifting Ode to the Sun.
Featuring a distinctive blend of Chinese and Western instruments, the concert highlights the creativity and collaboration of Bard Conservatory students under the direction of Jindong Cai, Director of the US-China Music Institute.
FREE and open to the public. Join us!
Program
Chamber Music
Three Variations on Plum Blossom《梅花三弄》
Traditional Chinese Music 中国传统古曲
Danni Chen — Guqin
Kexilin Ke — Konghou
Dance of the Yi Tribe《彝族舞曲》
Wang Huiran 王惠然
Pipa Quartet
Christine Zhang
Xintian Liu
Kendall Griffith
Wenjun Lu
Jian Dian Hua (The Snipped Indigo Flower)《剪靛花》
Traditional Chinese Folk Melody 中国传统民歌
Guzheng Duet
Jiaxin Yang
Xiaoya Ni
Jin Xiu《锦绣》
Su Xiao 苏潇
Lewanna Le — Erhu
Kexilin Ke — Konghou
Xintian Liu — Liuqin
Christine Zhang — Pipa
Jiaxin Yang — Guzheng
Autumn Yearning on the Steppe《草原秋思》
Luk Wai Chun 陸尉俊
Minghui (Mia) Wu — Dizi
Yi Zhang — Sheng
Xiaoyan (Zoey) Luo — Pipa
Jiayi Sun — Konghou
Xiaoya Ni — Guzheng
Greta Hong — Violin
Surina Pan — Morin Khuur
Mo Chen — Cello
Yining Zu — Percussion
Intermission
Bard Chinese Ensemble
The Silk Road《丝绸之路》
Jiang Ying 姜莹
arr. Xinyan Li 李昕艳
Oblivion · Libertango 《遗忘 · 自由探戈》
Astor Piazzolla 阿斯托尔·皮亚佐拉 (1921–1992)
arr. Xinyan Li 李昕艳
Ode to the Sun《太阳颂》
Wang Danhong 王丹红
About The Bard Chinese Ensemble
The Bard Chinese Ensemble (BCE) is a mixed ensemble at the Bard College Conservatory of Music, bringing together students performing on traditional Chinese and Western instruments. Under the direction of Jindong Cai, Director of the US-China Music Institute, the ensemble provides a unique platform for musicians to explore diverse musical traditions, develop collaborative skills, and discover new possibilities for cross-cultural musical expression.
With instrumentation that evolves each year, BCE presents a diverse repertoire ranging from traditional Chinese orchestral works to contemporary compositions and cross-cultural arrangements. Works are specially selected and adapted to reflect the ensemble’s distinctive instrumentation, allowing students to experience the artistic and technical challenges of performing across musical traditions. Through its performances, the Bard Chinese Ensemble celebrates the richness of Chinese music while exploring its connections with the wider musical world.