London Youlan Qin Society

Introduction

The London Youlan Qin Society, established on 13^th July 2003, is a London-based voluntary cultural organization It is Europe’s first and only such Society, which aims to promote interest in and understanding of Chinese music, its culture and arts, philosophy and social meaning, especially of the qin in the UK. The qin or guqin, the Chinese 7-stringed zither, is one of China’s most significant classical instruments, and was declared by UNESCO in 2003 as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”. The society is committed to facilitating the education, exchange and development of Chinese musical culture and arts between the UK, China and the rest of the world. Its president is Dr Cheng Yu, a leading UK Chinese musician and research associate at SOAS, University of London.

Objectives

Hold regular yajis (informal gatherings of qin enthusiasts) to play music, discuss issues and exchange ideas

Organise workshops, classes and performances

Coordinate cultural events and creative calibrations relating to Chinese music and arts

Distribute information and news about related cultural events and scholarly conferences

Forge links with other qin societies in China and the rest of the world

Maintain a Society library of books and other materials relating to qin and Chinese music

Main activities

Jan, 2012	Performed at the Chinese New Year celebrations on the main stage at Trafalgar Square
May, 2011	In collaboration with the Prince’s Charities Foundation, the British Museum and SOAS, held a Chinese Four Arts Summer School, a five day course on the four quintessential Chinese traditional arts: qin, qi (Weiqi or Go, Chinese chess), shu (calligraphy) and hua (brush painting), and a concert by Li Xiangting and the string quartet of the English Chamber Orchestra
Nov/Dec, 2010	In partnership with The Confucius Institute, Turin, Italy, given concerts and lectures at the Mao Oriental Museum and at the Institute by LYQS musicians
July, 2010	Collaborated with AMC to co-organise guqin classes at RAM and the Asia Strings concert by Cheng Yu, Dai Xiaolian and others at Purcell Room, Southbank Centre
August, 2009	Collaborated with AMC to co-organise guqin classes at Kingston University and concert by Shu School master Prof. Zeng Chengwei, Purcell Room, Southbank Centre
Nov, 2008	Collaborated with SOAS and the Prince’s Charities Foundation to co-organise a guqin and xiao concert by Gong Yi and Dai Shuhong
May, 2007	Collaborated with SOAS and the London Confucius Institute co-organise a guqin concert at SOAS by Lin Youren and Lin Chen from Shanghai
August 2006	Collaborated with AMC to co-organise guqin classes at RAM and concert by master Gong Yi, Purcell Room, Southbank Centre
December, 2005	Collaborated with SOAS to co-organise a guqin concert by Yang Chunwei from Beijing, in Khalili Hall at SOAS
August, 2004	Collaborated with AMC to co-organise guqin classes at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) and concert by master Li Xiangting, in the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre
May, 2004	Collaborated with the Pitt Rivers Museum Centre for Musical Instruments and Textiles for a yaji and concert.
August, 2003	Collaborated with Asian Music Circuit (AMC) to co-organise guqin classes and concert with master Gong Yi at SOAS

Administrative structure

As at 14 January, 2012, the Society has the following structure:

Officers:

President: Cheng Yu
Secretary: Julian Joseph
Treasurer: Shu Jun

Ordinary committee members:

Ashley Guan
Dennis Lee
Charles Rupert Tsua

Advisers:

Qin master Gong Yi of Shanghai
Professor Li Xiangting of the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing
Feifei Hu of the Prince's Charities Foundation, China

LYQS Facebook page

The London Youlan Qin Society now has a Facebook page at:

www.facebook.com/londonyoulanqinsociety

Joining and membership

You are welcome to join the Society if you appreciate or play qin or other Chinese music.

Annual subscription rates

Full membership: £25, with a concessionary rate of £20 for students, pensioners and people not in full time employment.

Associate membership: £15, with a concessionary rate of £10 for students, pensioners and people not in full time employment.

For further information, please contact the secretary.