Community members experienced the harmonies of “Little Yellowbird” on Friday at the Chinese Music Ensemble. 

The WKU Chinese Music Club performed the ensemble at the Ivan Wilson Center for the Fine Arts. The performance consisted of five members playing eight different Chinese originating instruments. 

The group meets for two hours a week in preparation for their recitals, with strong encouragement for members to practice on their own as well. 

Lee said the final song performed by the ensemble, “Hastening the Horses to Transport Grain,” was so advanced that a specialized teacher was called in to help member Talia Ellis perform the complex number. 

The club welcomes anyone interested in Chinese music to join, such as John Danielson, the only non-student member who has been part of the club for six years. 

Danielson said he heard about the club while taking music lessons at the former Confucius Institute on campus.  Ever since, he’s been hooked by the contagious “inspiration of these young students.” 

Ting-Hui Lee, the club faculty advisor, has practiced Chinese music for over 20 years and has advised the club since 2011. 

“I’m happy to see that every year we can put on a concert to show people what we can play,” Lee said. 

After the concert, attendees were able to have an up-close look at the instruments used by the performers. 

“I just think it’s really a fun opportunity for the students to get to practice this and have a bit of Chinese culture on campus,” attendee and friend of one of the performers, Marissa Bruce, said.