Story by Brandon Adams
It is not often that someone has the opportunity to welcome guests from out of the country, but on Jan. 22, the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at CSU has that very privilege.
Southwest University, located in Chongqing, China, has a tremendously respected music school. Last November, Music, Theatre and Dance Director Dan Goble traveled to China to visit the faculty and students at Southwest University, and watch a performance by one of their ensembles. After a warm welcome and very hospitable experience, Goble invited Southwest University musicians to perform at the University Center for the Arts during their visit to Fort Collins and the CSU campus.
The performance takes place at 2 p.m. in the Organ Recital Hall, and is free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served, and seating will begin 30 minutes before the concert.
During the concert, the guests will present some of the most popular Chinese folks songs, featuring many traditional instruments, including the Dizi, a Chinese flute that has existed for more than 4,500 years; the Yangquin, a steel-stringed percussion instrument; and the Erhu, a uniquely shaped string instrument played with a bow. These instruments, in addition to performances of Chinese songs by outstanding student and faculty singers, will be used to create a sound and tonal color that exemplifies traditional Chinese culture.
Adults and children alike are encourage to attend this entertaining and unique performance by Southwest University.
Message from the director
“Please join me in welcoming students and faculty members from the School of Music of Southwest University to the University Center for the Arts at Colorado State University,” Goble says. “As our two great universities explore opportunities for collaboration and cultural exchange, it is clear that we share a commitment to excellence in the performing arts, as you will hear at the performance of traditional Chinese folk music.
“The School of Music of Southwest University is a prestigious research and education-oriented school of music, and can be traced back to 1940 at the Music Training Program of the National Women’s Normal University. The School of Music at SWU offers undergraduate programs in Music Education, Musicology, Performance and Dance; master’s programs in Musical Aesthetic Psychology, Traditional Chinese Music, Music History/Literature, Music Education and Performance; and doctoral programs in Psychology of Music, History of Chinese Ancient Music, Religious Music Theory and Teaching/Research of Folk Music.
“It is our great privilege to host the School of Music from Southwest University, and we look forward to our future exchanges of music, art and knowledge.”
More information
The performance is free and open to the public. For more information, the University Center for the Arts Box Office can be contacted by phone at (970) 491-ARTS (2787), or online at www.CSUArtsTickets.com.
For a full events calendar, more information, and to sign up for a free event e-newsletter, visit UCA.Colostate.edu. For an in-depth look behind the scenes of everything happening at the University Center for the Arts, read The Green Room digital magazine. Sign up for free at issuu.com/coloradostateuniversity_uca.
