Music across borders marks Spring Festival

Music from the Chinese-speaking world will form a centrepiece for celebrations of Chinese New Year at the University of St Andrews.

A festival, including traditional and contemporary Chinese music and tea tasting, will take place in the University’s world-leading McPherson Recital room.

Hosted in partnership with Chinese students at the University, the Laidlaw Music Centre and the new Department of Chinese Studies, the event will feature traditional instruments, the guzheng and ehru, and new music by contemporary Chinese composers for clarinet and cello, as well as traditional and contemporary popular songs.

The University’s Hongpao Society will also host a Chinese tea-tasting to mark the occasion which is also known as Spring Festival.

The student Hongpao Society encourages Chinese students to connect with the local area, including sharing Chinese culture.

Dr Jane Pettegree, Advisor of Studies and Associate Lecturer at the Music Centre, said: “The Laidlaw Music Centre is delighted to work with the new Department of Chinese Studies and with our talented Chinese student community to share music from the Chinese-speaking world.

“This is a student-led event, and students are excited to share a diverse range of their music – from traditional instruments to modern pop songs – to give a glimpse into the rich diversity of contemporary music-making activities. There will be opportunities to ask questions (in English) about what you hear.”

This academic year marks the inaugural teaching year of the new Department of Chinese Studies, which offers new opportunities to learn about Chinese languages and culture.

The event, Music Across Borders, will take place on Saturday 5 February from 2.30pm to 4.30pm in the Laidlaw Music Centre. The programme will be presented in English. Admission is free, but advance booking advised, via the Byre Box Office.