About the Society

The London Youlan Qin Society is a London-based voluntary cultural organisation. It aims to promote interest in and understanding of Chinese musical culture and philosophy, especially of the qin (guqin, the classical Chinese 7-stringed zither) in the UK. The society is committed to facilitating the exchange and development of Chinese musical culture between the UK, China and the rest of the world. It was established on July 13^th 2003. Its advisers are qin masters Gong Yi of Shanghai and Professor Li Xiangting of the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing.

The president of the society is pipa virtuoso and guqin player Cheng Yu. The secretary is Julian Joseph. These committee members were elected on July 13^th.

Objectives

Our main objectives are to:

Hold bi-monthly yajis (informal gatherings of qin enthusiasts) to play music, discuss issues and exchange ideas
Organise workshops, classes and performances
Maintain and develop mailing lists
Distribute information and news about related cultural events as well as scholarly conferences
Forge links with other qin societies in China and the rest of the world
Organise excursions to experience music in places of natural beauty, as did the literati of ancient China.