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Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal

Traditional and Contemporary Gu-Zheng Music/e

About Me


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Chih-Lin Chou, was born in Taiwan R.O.C., the artistic director of Canadian Association of Oriental Fine Arts (CAoFA) and Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal (GZEM),is a Chinese-Canadian virtuoso of the gu-zheng, the 21-string Chinese zither. Ms Chou’s CV attests to her status as a virtuoso performer and for the past years she has worked to present traditional and contemporary music to a mixed, but largely Chinese-Canadian audience in a concert environment.

Ms Chou’s dedication to promoting greater knowledge and public awareness of this important instrument has been on-going for over a decade, first through weekly public performances, and also through CDs, invited appearances in Montreal and Ottawa, and teaching, and has now expanded her activities to include concert presentations in first-class concert venues, notably the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall in Montreal.

An important development in 2002 was the formalization of the Gu-zheng Ensemble of Montreal (GZEM), which has started to produce events and perform in the Montreal region. As an extension of this outreach initiative, a non-profit organization; CAoFA was formed in 2005 with the objective of placing the gu-zheng in the wider musical and artistic communities in Montreal through contacts with other Chinese arts, notably those of painting and calligraphy.

Chih-Lin Chou and GZEM have worked with local Canadian and Chinese musicians (violin, cello, percussion, erhu, zheng etc) playing traditional, arrangements and new pieces in concert, and Ms Chou continues to compose and arrange in both traditional and contemporary styles.

The traditional Chinese repertoire for the zheng, original and in arrangement, is enormous, and in order to make the programs as attractive as possible for both Chinese and Canadian audience member, the concerts have combined traditional melodies, arrangement of Chinese folk songs, arrangements of traditional materials with electroacoustic accompaniment, new pieces in somewhat traditional styles and new works for gu-zheng and electroacoustic sounds which are aimed at being new without being difficult for an ordinary audience to grasp. The original works are composed by Ms Chou and Kevin Austin.

One of the new pieces composed by Kevin Austin in 2004 (Waves and Tides of Time) was requested for performance at the Qi and Complexity Conference in Beijing in November of 2004. This Canadian presence in the Chinese capital has enhanced the profile of Canadian composition on the international concert stage while contributing to the development of the concept of zheng and electroacoustics. A new large-scale work for gu-zheng, 8-channel sound and video has been commissioned and will be going into rehearsal early in 2006. It is to be noted here that GZEM and Ms Chou continue to show support for new music initiatives quite beyond the traditional. To listen to a complete works for gu-zheng and electroacoustics, please find:

http://www.sonus.ca/app/ui/search_s.php?Language=en&Last _Name=&First_Name=&Title=Waves&RPP=10&CP=1&a mp;SubType=Submit http://www.sonus.ca/app/ui/search_s.php?Language=en&Last _Name=Austin&First_Name=&Title=&RPP=10&CP=1& amp;SubType=Submit

Grant applications of Canadian Council for the arts such as CD recording project, commissioning of Canadian Composer, and community-based concerts production (through and in conjunction with Multi-Music of Montreal and Montreal Asian Heritage Festival) have been connected to the inclusion of non-chinese instrumentation, dance and mediatic forms of presentation.

The concert in June 2006 is another point of focus for this on-going development as it will combine asian and western instruments in greater number, dance and mediatic presentation (electroacoustic and video). Now, not the first step in the process of group and audience development, in February 2007 Oriented Towards Sound I at Oscar Peterson Concert Hall is another important stage in the continued growth and strength with the Chinese-Canadian and general Montreal arts / cultural communities.
To expand the culture of Chinese music, Canadian Association of Oriental Fine Arts in collaboration with B.C. Chinese Music Association will host the 2nd overseas Chinese Instrumental Performance Grade Examination in November 2007 at Montreal, Canada. Participants will be tested by the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) criteria material, and subsequently will be issued a Certificate of Accomplishment by the CCOM. The aim of this collaboration is to raise the professional quality of Chinese music performance, and to encourage the local development of Chinese music.

The Oriented Toward Sound (OTS) concert series in February and October every year is a project organized by Concordia University Music Department and CAoFA. The purpose is to provide emerging artists a concert environment to develop their music career, and to promote oriental music to more general public. Concerts are webcasted by Concordia University to make the event world-wide.
OTSI concert recording:

http://music.concordia.ca/Oriented_Towards_Sound_Series/OTS_ I-2007.html
OTSII concert recording:

http://music.concordia.ca/Oriented_Towards_Sound_Series/OTS_ II_2007.html

OTSIII concert recording:

http://music.concordia.ca/Oriented_Towards_Sound_Series/ OTS_III_2008.html

As community access and outreach are at the core of the function of these concerts, many resources have been devoted to assuring large, receptive audiences, and the development of a broader base for the understanding and cross-cultural impact of the traditional and new works presented.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 12/23/2006
Band Website: bppmusic.com
Band Members:


Guzheng Ensemble of Montreal

GZEM Trio

The exquisite sounds of traditional China -- the quzheng (Chinese zither) and the erhu (Chinese fiddle), with the addition of the colors added by western and Chinese percussion, this is the world of the GZEM Trio. Music that arrests the attention and attracts the heart, delicacy and passion.

Melodies drawn from the thousand year old tradition of ancient China are performed by Chih-Lin Chou, guzheng and Yang Li, erhu, both traditionally trained Chinese virtuosi. Their sounds capture and express the sentiments of a culture where less speaks more. The simple melodic phrase is framed by passionate yet controled gestures -- the Chinese experience of gently capturing the imagination and the soul.

Chih-Lin Chou, guzheng

Charles Dugas, percussions

Yang Li, erhu

Major Projects:
*CD Recording
*Concert/Event
*Teaching
*Composition/Improvisation
Influences:

CAOFA-Objectives

Dating back into the Tang and Song Dynasties (618AD), the four arts of the Chinese scholar, qin (music), qi (chess or go), shu (calligraphy), hua (painting) are taken as a basis for the direction of CAOFA.

Founded in 2005, the Canadian Association of Oriental Fine Arts (CAOFA) aims to promote a greater understanding and awareness of oriental fine arts in Canada, focusing on traditional and contemporary art forms through performance, exhibition, presentations, workshops and general education.

Starting from an initial base of instrumental music, calligraphy and painting, the federally-registered association works towards creating an infrastructure that will allow greater public presence reflecting the vitality and diversity of Chinese and other oriental fine arts as practiced in contemporary Canadian society.

GZEM (Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal), within the framework of CAOFA, has initiated activites to develop a wider audience and community base through concert and educational connections.

CAoFA- Board of Directors

Tsai-Feng Hsieh, President
Chih-Lin Chou, Artistic Director
Thomas Ng, General Director
Babak Towhidi, Member at large
Kevin Austin, Special Advisor Concordia University
Major Projets:
*CD Recording
*Oriental Towards Sound Concert Series
*Central Conservatory of Music Level Standard Evaluation Exam
*Workshop and Event
*Grants Applications
Sounds Like: The gu-zheng, the Chinese forerunner of the Japanes koto and Korean Kayagum, is the parent instrument of the Chinese long zither family. Its history can be traced back as far as the Warring States Period (446 BC-221BC). Originally, the instrument had 50 strings, called Se is said to be invented by Pao His (1000 BC). It is recorded that when Miss Su was one day performing her 50-string Se in the presence of the Emperor Huang Ti, he was so overwhelmed by the sorrowful sound of the many-stringed instrument that he issued an order to reduce the number of strings on the se from 50 to 25. The commonly used one since 1960 is the 21-string gu-zheng.

The instrument is rich in playing techniques, the performer using the right hand to pluck the strings, with the left hand pressing the string on the left side of the bridge to produce vibrato, pitch alterations or slides. In contemporary practice, the left hand often joins the right hand to play a counter-melody. Experimental techniques can include bowed, hammering and preparing the strings. If its strings are struck consecutively, it produces a sound like flowing water.

The gu-zheng has played an important part of Chinese history as both a court and folk instrument. It is not only a good solo music instrument; its gentle yet crisp sound makes it an excellent instrument for accompaniment. Composers have created various combinations for the gu-zheng and other traditional Chinese music instruments, such as the erhu, the flute and the pipa as well as western music instruments, such as violin, cello, and percussion.


Record Label: unsigned
Type of Label: None

My Blog

OTSIII Feb 9 2008 Concert Program

Oriented Towards Sound ]|[Salle Oscar Peterson Concert Halluniversité Concordia UniversityMontréal, QC, Canada2008 ­ II ­ 0919h30$10 at the doorThe concert begins with a work in progress with sounds r...
Posted by Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:08:00 PST

Check out this event: Oriented Toward Sound III

Oriented Towards Sound IIIMulti-cultural concert at Oscar Peterson Concert Hall7141 Sherbrooke West Saturday Feb 9 2008 7:30pmThis third concert of the continuing Oriented Towards Sound concert series...
Posted by Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 07:50:00 PST

Oriented Toward Sound Concert Series II

Hi,Sorry for the delay. It took almost three months after the concert to upload the concert recording to the web.Here is the web address:http://music.concordia.ca/Oriented_Towards_Sound_Ser ies/OTS_II...
Posted by Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 07:41:00 PST

Chinese newspaper web

Hi,For my friends who can read Chinese, we have a Chinese newspaper web/blog at http://www.septdaysnews.com/bbs/space.php?uid=238, we are posting news and information about Chinese music. Thank you f...
Posted by Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal on Sat, 17 Nov 2007 07:13:00 PST

Check out this event: Oriented Toward Sound II

Hosted By: Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal When: 06/10/2007Where: Oscar Peterson Concert Hall7141 Sherbrooke St W Montreal, QC H4B1R6CanadaDescription:Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal Click Here To View E...
Posted by Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:05:00 PST

Oriented Toward Sound Concert Series I

Hi, For people who missed our Oriented Toward Sound I in Febuaray 2007, here is the webcast of the concert.http://music.concordia.ca/Oriented_Towards_Sound_200 7.htmlIf you are interested to attend to ...
Posted by Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:52:00 PST

Course Packages for Guzheng, Sound Design

Hi, We are now offering course packages for guzheng, sound design. If you are interested, please go visit www.myspace.com/caofa, you can find more information under "I am selling" category.We are loo...
Posted by Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:26:00 PST

Member of Canadian Association of Oriental Fine Arts

Hi, The Canadian Association of Oriental Fine Arts are starting the third year of not for profit incorporation. We are glad to have the new president, Tsai-Feng Hsieh leading the group with more conn...
Posted by Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:04:00 PST

The Overseas Music Standard Grade Examination

The  Central Conservatory of Music of China The Overseas Music Standard Grade Examination To expand the culture of Chinese music, Canadian Association of Oriental Fine Arts in collaboration with ...
Posted by Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal on Wed, 23 May 2007 08:03:00 PST

Forming Oriental Music Club

We are forming the oriental music club at myspace to exchange idea and project.  Please visit our group and join us. CLC...
Posted by Gu-Zheng Ensemble of Montreal on Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:38:00 PST