Back to All Events

GUZHENG TIANXIA 古筝天下: Chinese Music in the West


  • US China Music Institute Bard College Conservatory of Music Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, 12504 United States (map)

Annual INTERNATIONAL Conference

The eighth annual conference of the US-China Music Institute will focus on the global phenomenon of guzheng teaching, research, and performance, with a particular emphasis on developments in the West. Scholars, performers, students, ensembles, and guzheng studio teachers from North America and China will come together for three days of performances, workshops, discussions and social events.

Open to the public. Registration requested (see below).

 

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 会议日程

THURSDAY, APRIL 30  
CHINA INSTITUTE: 100 WASHINGTON ST. NYC

3 - 5PM                     
Welcome Speeches and Guzheng Studio Performance
Multipurpose room (2nd floor)

  • OPENING REMARKS
    Jindong Cai, Director, US-China Music Institute

    KEYNOTE SPEECH
    Sheng (声) and Yin (音): Transforming the Microcosm into the Macrocosm – History, Aesthetics, and Cultural Interaction of the Chinese Zheng
    Dr. Mei Han, Professor of Music and Director, Center for Chinese Music and Culture, Middle Tennessee State University

    PANEL DISCUSSION
    Jindong Cai, Mei Han, Gao Baijian, Yuan Sha, Xu Lingzi

    PERFORMANCE
    Resonance Guzheng Ensemble
    Yixin Wang, instructor
    Program will be announced from the stage. 

6:30 - 7:30PM 

Introduction

Jindong Cai, Director, USChina Music Institute George Geh, CEO, China Institute of America Guanqi Fu, Deputy SecretaryGeneral, Music Examination Committee, Central Conservatory of Music Mei Han, Curato         

Concert: GUZHENG TIANXIA 古筝天下*
Grand Hall
*tickets required. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

  • Mei Han, curator

    Lady Liu Qing
    Traditional Chaozhou music
    Gao Baijian, guzheng

    Lotus Emerging from Water
    Traditional Hakka music
    Yuan Sha, guzheng

    Meditation on Mount Jingting
    Clarence Mak (b. 1959)
    Xu Lingzi, guzheng

    San Yin Si Xi 
    Zhou Hang (b. 1975)
    Xia Jing, Cao Lina, Tan Yusha, Huang Sijia, guzheng

FRIDAY, MAY 1 
BARD COLLEGE: OLIN LANGUAGE CENTER/OLIN HALL

9:30AM - 12PM             
Guzheng as a Global Phenomenon
Presentations by guest artists and scholars
Olin Language Center Room 115

  • Interpretation of the Five Major Guzheng Traditions
    Xu Lingzi, Professor of Chinese Music, Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts

    Chaozhou Zheng Tradition
    Gao Baijian, independent scholar and guzheng performer

    The Poetic Voice of the Guzheng on the Global Stage
    Yuan Sha, Professor of Guzheng, Central Conservatory of Music, China

    Composing for Guzheng: Cross-Cultural Fusion in My Compositions
    Luk Wai Chun, composer

1 - 3PM                      
Pedagogy Round Table Discussion
(attendees may register to make a short presentation)
Olin Language Center Room 115

  • Speakers will be announced during the event.

4 - 5:30PM                 
Industry Session with Dunhuang Instrument Factory
Olin Language Center Room 115

  • The Evolution of Modern Guzheng: Form Transformation and Tuning System Analysis
    Li Sufang, Chief Quality Officer, Shanghai Dunhuang No. 1 National Musical Instruments Factory

    Structural Sensitivity and Performer-Based Fine Tuning of the Guzheng
    Carol Chang, Founder, Sound of China Guzheng Music Promotion Center

    Research on Instrumental Innovations for Rapid Modulation in the Guzheng
    Yazhi Guo, Visiting Professor of Chinese Music, US-China Music Institute

7 - 8:30PM                 
Concert: Bard Chinese Ensemble and Guests
Olin Hall

  • Feng · Ya · Song (Ballad, Court Hymn, Eulogy) 《风·雅·颂》 
    Zhang Zheng (b. unknown)

    Shang Su concerto for guzheng 《觞诉》
    Xu Lingzi (b. 1957)
    Xu Lingzi, guzheng

    Moments between Ledges and Frets concerto for pipa and chamber ensemble 《弹指品相间》(U.S. Premiere)
    Luk Wai Chun (b. 1993) Feature composer
    Zhang Shiyao, pipa

    Fantasia for Guzheng and Strings No.1: Fascination 《神往》(U.S. Premiere)
    Luk Wai Chun (b. 1993) Feature composer
    Xia Jing, guzheng

    Night Mooring at Maple Bridge guzheng concerto 《枫桥夜泊》
    Wang Jianmin (b. 1956)
    Yuan Sha, guzheng

    Four Seasons in Lingering Garden symphonic poem 《四季留園》
    Wang Danhong (b. 1985)

SATURDAY, MAY 2       
BARD COLLEGE: CAMPUS CENTER North/OLIN HALL

9AM - 12PM             
Guzheng Ensemble Coaching
Olin Hall

1:30 - 4PM                      
Annual Yaji (‘Elegant Gathering’)
Campus Center North Multipurpose room
(attendees may register to present a musical work or poem)

  • Opening Chant
    Tatjana Myoko von Prittwitz und Gaffron, Buddhist Chaplain, Bard College

    Introductory Remarks 
    Jindong Cai, Director, US-China Music Institute

    Guzheng vs. Guqin: Discussion and Demonstration
    Mingmei Yip and Jing Xia, Visiting Professors of Chinese Music, Bard Conservatory of Music

    Guest performances and presentations

    Informal discussions, calligraphy demonstrations, and tea break

4 - 6PM                      
Technique & Interpretation Masterclasses
Campus Center North Classroom

  • Improvisation Workshop
    Mei Han 

    “Flow · Habit · Speed · Power” — Improving technique and musical expressiveness through relaxation and the integration of whole-body power
    Xu Lingzi

    “Return Home” — A cultural journey through Chinese guzheng music
    Yuan Sha

8 - 9:30PM                      
Concert: GUZHENG TIANXIA 古筝天下
Olin Hall

  • A Traveler’s Longing to Return Home 《游子思归》
    Gao Baijian (b.1956)
    Gao Baijian, guzheng

    Desert Rose 《沙漠玫瑰》
    Wang Danhong (b.1981)
    Toronto Guzheng Ensemble
    Lina Cao, artistic director

    Butterflies and Blue 《蝴蝶与蓝》
    Tao Yimo (b.1973)
    Vancouver Guzheng Ensemble

    The Phantom of the Opera
    Andrew Lloyd Webber (b. 1948)
    Sound of China Guzheng Ensemble
    Cynthia Hsiang, music director

    Take Me Home, Country Roads
    John Denver (1943–1997)
    Arranged by Cynthia Hsiang
    Sound of China Guzheng Ensemble

    Frost to Flourish 《冬虫夏草》 
    Fang Dongqing (b.1977)
    Toronto Guzheng Ensemble

    Lotus Emerging from Water《出水莲》
    Traditional Hakka music 
    Jarrelle Barron, guzheng

    FINALE - GUZHENG TIANXIA ENSEMBLE

    Beauty Shared by All 《美美与共》
    Lou Shuhua (1907–1952）and Chen Qigang (b.1951)
    arr. Yuan Sha

    Fighting the Typhoon《战台风》
    Wang Changyuan (b. 1946)
    arr. Yuan Sha 

Special thanks to Flying Strings Youth Ensemble, USCMI faculty Dr. Xia Jing and alumna Yixin Wang for their generous support in providing instruments for this conference.

All programs subject to change.

registration in advance KINDLY requested

Conference events are free and open to the public (excluding the China Institute concert on April 30). NOTE: During registration, attendees may request to present a short talk or performance during the Pedagogy Round Table or the Yaji. Space is limited and the deadline to sign up is April 10.

click here to register to attend conference events and to request to participate

FEATURED MASTERS OF THE GUZHENG

Featured
Gao Baijian is a guzheng scholar and master performer from Guangdong, China, specializing in the regional Chaozhou style of the Lingnan tradition. Gao studied under his father, Gao Zherui — a renowned guzheng musician and traditional Chinese medic

Gao Baijian is a guzheng scholar and master performer from Guangdong, China, specializing in the regional Chaozhou style of the Lingnan tradition. Gao studied under his father, Gao Zherui — a renowned guzheng musician and traditional Chinese medicine doctor.

Han Mei is a guzheng scholar and professor of ethnomusicology at Middle Tennessee State University in the United States. As director of MTSU’s Center for Chinese Music and Culture, Professor Han is actively engaged in cross-cultural musical exchan

Han Mei is a guzheng scholar and professor of ethnomusicology at Middle Tennessee State University in the United States. As director of MTSU’s Center for Chinese Music and Culture, Professor Han is actively engaged in cross-cultural musical exchange and research.

Xu Lingzi is a renowned guzheng artist from Hong Kong, recognized for her innovative interpretations grounded in the Chinese musical tradition. She is a professor at the Hong Kong Academy of the Performing Arts.

Xu Lingzi is a renowned guzheng artist from Hong Kong, recognized for her innovative interpretations grounded in the Chinese musical tradition. She is a professor at the Hong Kong Academy of the Performing Arts.

Yuan Sha is a professor of guzheng at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Sha is widely recognized as a representative figure of contemporary Chinese guzheng art and a cultural ambassador for Chinese traditional music. 

Yuan Sha is a professor of guzheng at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Sha is widely recognized as a representative figure of contemporary Chinese guzheng art and a cultural ambassador for Chinese traditional music. 

DIRECTIONS, TRAVEL AND LODGING INFORMATION

Stone Row at Bard College

Bard College is located in the Town of Red Hook, New York, about 90 miles north of New York City. The area can be reached by Amtrak (Rhinecliff Station), Metro North (Poughkeepsie Station), and the Trailways bus line (Kingston).
More information about travel to Bard College here.

For lodging, we recommend looking for hotels in the nearby city of Kingston. Explore lodging options near Bard here.

There are plenty of places to eat on campus and in the nearby villages of Red Hook, Rhinebeck, and Tivoli. More dining options can be found in Hudson, just 30 minutes away by car.
Information about dining on campus here.

Guzheng Tianxia 古筝天下 is presented in partnership with the Central Conservatory of Music, China, and in collaboration with China Institute of America.

Earlier Event: March 9
Shutong Li Memorial Concert with the Bard Chinese Ensemble
Later Event: May 1
Bard Chinese Ensemble and Guests