Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble Educational Program
Each year during Asian Heritage Month, the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble, in collaboration with volunteers from the Vancouver Instrumental Music Society, offers a free workshop exploring the rich history and evolving future of Chinese music. In addition to these community outreach initiatives, we also offer two curated program options specifically designed for children in schools.
Art Starts School Showcase Educational Program
The Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble delivered a captivating performance at the ArtStarts in Schools Showcase. Their exceptional presentation—both visually and musically—left such an impression that they were invited back onstage by an intrigued audience. To learn more about bringing our educational programs to your school, please contact us.
Jirong Huang - Artistic Director
Guilian Liu - Ruan
Zhongxi Wu - Sunoa and Sheng
Qing Chang - Guzheng and Sanxian
Today our showcase will include excerpts from 4 pieces, taking us across China and demonstrating contrasting sounds from each region. Playing straight through four selections, the first is called Wonderful Flower Full Moon, depicting the Mid Autumn Moon Festival celebration in Beijing. Following will be a tune called Sky Mountain featuring the Sanxian playing a popular melody from Xinjiang. The third piece originates from the borders of northern china and Mongolia. It is called Horse Race where the erhu is transformed and used to tell mythical tales and perform ceremonies to tame horses. The final excerpt is from hai er bin called Red Dates to Relatives. This piece will allow our wind master to show off a range of joyous calls.
Educational Program Option 1
Concert: This program showcases traditional and contemporary music on Chinese instruments. The concert introduces students and teachers to Chinese music and culture through carefully selected pieces performed by four traditional Chinese instruments.
Educational Program Option 2
Musical Improvisation: This program, "Music and Stories from China", is a musical comedy inspired by the legendary Monkey King (Sun Wukong). The music and sounds provided by three members of the ensemble accompany the stories, jokes, magic and mime provided by the storyteller/comedian Gerardo Avila.
