Music From China is a chamber ensemble that performs a dual repertoire of traditional and contemporary Chinese music. The group was founded in 1984 by Director, Susan Cheng and is under the artistic direction of erhu virtuoso Wang Guowei. What began as a mission to introduce audiences to the best of Chinese musical culture evolved into an affinity for the eclectic that embraces both tradtional and new music.
An important component of Music From China’s musical explorations is artistic collaboration. In addition to composers, collaborators in performance include Present Music, Four Nation Ensemble, Ethos Percussion Group, the Shanghai, Cassatt and Sunrise string quartets, Philadelphia Classical Symphony, the Avison Ensemble in England, and artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Fred Sherry, Alan Kay, and Rao Lan.
Music From China engages in various types of educational activities promoting Chinese culture through music and training young Chinese musicians. The ensemble has performed for young audiences from school assemblies in Flint, Michigan to classrooms in the Bronx, an outdoor festival by Lake Champlain in Vermont, and a museum in Newcastle, England. The Music From China Youth Orchestra conducted by Wang Guowei rehearses year-round and performs public concerts in New Jersey and New York City. Ongoing music instruction and an intensive summer youth orchestra program teach children the skills to become practitioners of their musical heritage.
Music From China’s contribution to America’s musical landscape has garnered recognition and support from numerous funding sources including: National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York Foundation for the Arts, Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Meet The Composer, Chamber Music America, Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, Koussevitzky Music Foundation, Jerome Foundation Composers Commissioning Program, Low Manhattan Cultural Council, the September 11th Fund, and the New York State Music Fund.