On March 21, 2023, the Central Conservatory of Music of China and Bard College signed a new 5-year agreement to extend the "Chinese Music Development Initiative" previously established between the two schools in 2017. The signing ceremony for the second stage of the initiative was held in the Opera Hall of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.
INK ART AND NEW MUSIC PROJECT
In collaboration with the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and M+, Hong Kong, this creative exchange project aims to explore the aesthetic commonality and discover the innovative potential of Ink Art and New Music. Through lectures, mentorships, commissions, and performances, this multi-phase series hopes to connect creative, knowledgeable, and curious minds and encourage meaningful conversations and new compositions.
Orchestras need to delve deeper into China's music
Honoring the life of Shirley Young
Shirley Young at the 2019 China Now Music Festival Gala at Carnegie Hall. Photo by Chris Lee.
The US-China Music Institute and the Bard College Conservatory of Music mourn the passing of Conservatory Advisory board member, and dear friend of the US-China Music Institute, Shirley Young. We will greatly miss her advice, activism for young musicians, and deep passion for music. She led our hugely successful China Now Music Festival gala fundraiser in fall of 2019 and was, at the time of her death, leading new initiatives for the US-China Music Institute. She was a pioneer for the development of economic ties between the US and China and, through her example, for all women in the world of business. She was also a tireless and generous supporter of many arts organizations—including the Conservatory. She was a force of nature and the Conservatory community will miss her wisdom and leadership enormously.
The US-China Music Institute will be dedicating its February 13 Chinese New Year's Concert to her memory.
Read the NY Times’ tribute to Shirley’s extraordinary life and accomplishments: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/03/obituaries/shirley-young-dead.html
Bard, China Now & the Many Faces of Beethoven
This is the 250th year since the birth of Beethoven (1770-1827). Bard College celebrates that milestone with its link to China. China Now is a breathtaking review of the legendary master’s work as Beethoven’s reputation soars. While Confucius is considered THE Great Sage in China, others like Mencius, Lao Tzu, and the poet Du Fu, are also famous sages. Is Homer or Sophocles considered a great sage? No, and neither are Shakespeare, Goethe, or Tolstoy. Beethoven is the only Westerner who has that status; he is the Sage of Music.
VC INTERVIEW | Jindong Cai — Artistic Director of the China Now Music Festival
U.S.-China Festival Celebrates Music and Cultural Influence of Beethoven
First Round Online Auditions in Asia for 2021-2022 Admissions
Pieces of China: Jindong Cai on the Concert That Promoted Dialogue, 9-24-20
US-China Music Institute director Jindong Cai was the featured guest in the latest episode of "Pieces of China," an online series presented by Manhattan's China Institute which aims to "tell the story of China, one object at a time." Cai relived the 1997 concert when he conducted the Shanghai Symphony in a program of American symphonic music. Cai's reflections touched on personal history and the state of US-China relations, as well as the powerful role music can play in forging and maintaining connections between cultures and people.
Cai described how concerts he attended as a young man in Beijing led him to his decision to become a conductor. Here he is with a program from a Boston Symphony Orchestra performance with Seiji Ozawa in 1979.
Beethoven in China Webinar: Part Two Recap
The second part of our two-part webinar series “Beethoven in China” took place on Tuesday, July 28, in partnership with China Institute.
China Institute’s Dinda Elliott moderates with guest speakers Jindong Cai, filmmaker Jennifer Lin, and Ambassador Nicholas Platt
Last Tuesday’s event centered around discussion of the upcoming documentary ‘Beethoven in Beijing’ which chronicles the historic 1973 tour of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the broader topic of how Western classical music serves as a bridge between the US and China to this day. US-China Music Institute director Jindong Cai, filmmaker Jennifer Lin, and Ambassador Nicholas Platt engaged in an engrossing discussion spanning history, personal stories, and thoughtful reflection on US-China relations today and in the past. You can view the event on the China Institute YouTube channel, here:
The US-China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music and China Institute in New York City presented the Beethoven in China online series of webinar/panel discussions to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth.