The Chinese flute can be traced back 8,000 years ago with the discovery of a bone flute from the Neolithic Age. Music was used as entertainment for royalty and dignitaries only, but transitioned into a form of expression in mainstream society as time continued on.
Now, Chinese music is being used to influence musicians around the world – including here at WKU.
The Chinese Music Club is a student organization that was founded 10 years ago by the club’s current advisor, Ting-Hui Lee, a professor of physics and astronomy. Her interest in starting this organization came from her own former participation in a local musical ensemble that would perform Chinese music.
“When I moved to Bowling Green, there were no Chinese music groups here, and I thought it would be fun to start one,” Lee said. “I’ve been the advisor ever since.”
Lee spoke to the music department and Chinese Flagship Program to try to get students interested in the organization. She explained that students across many different majors have joined the club in her time as advisor as the organization is open to everyone.
The current makeup of approximately 10 students in the club spans diversely across campus. Gigi Lamb, junior, is a triple major in anthropology, Asian religions and cultures and Chinese Flagship. Lamb serves as president of the Chinese Music Club and plays the Dizi, a Chinese transverse flute, which is held horizontally when played.
Lamb has previous music experience, as well as a goal to try as many “weird” things in college as possible. After joining the club for these reasons, she then decided to stay.
“I ended up staying because the people are so nice,” Lamb said. “I think we have a great time.”
Although Lee is proficient in several Chinese instruments and helps with the basics, students in the club rely on YouTube and other learning tools to hone their craft.
“First day, you pick one [an instrument] that you are kind of familiar with, and you just kind of fiddle with it,” Lamb said. “People who know a little bit will help with the basics and then you pretty much teach yourself.”
Rowan Finley, sophomore, is a triple major in Asian religions and cultures, a self-designed linguistics major through the Mahurin Honors College and in Chinese Flagship. Finley plays the Yangqin, a Chinese hammered dulcimer.
Finley explained how the organization has challenged the typical perception of China on campus.
“I think there is a certain sense of cultural awareness that you get out of it because there is a stigma around China,” Finley said. “They are communism based and the American government is very much like, ‘no China,’ so I think being able to interact with that culture in a very safe and a very fun environment lets people realize they are still people.”
The Chinese Music Club collaborates with the Center for Chinese Music and Culture at Middle Tennessee State University. Mei Han, director of this center at MTSU, leads the charge in directing both groups in collaboration for a performance they host together.
By hosting this performance, students in the Chinese Music Club have the opportunity to learn their music from a professional, since on campus they are mostly self-taught.
“She [Lee] is kind of doing this as a passion project on the side,” Finley said. “She isn’t as familiar as a music director would be. A lot of us are self taught, so we will watch videos or we’ll just mess around until we figure it out.”
Finley also spoke to the experience he has gained from partnership with MTSU.
“When we go to MTSU, we’ll practice with them and their instructors will give us some pointers,” Finley said.
“They have a visiting student from mainland China and she taught me some basics for my instrument. I took that and ran with it.”
News Reporter Bailey Reed can be reached at [email protected].