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New York Qin Society
The
music and culture of the qin (or guqin, meaning "ancient qin"), a classical
Chinese instrument, is in many ways a reflection of the traditions and
aspirations of the oldest Chinese social and philosophical currents. Its music
has an intimate and deep connection with other Chinese arts, especially painting
and calligraphy. The performance tradition, passed down to us through 2500 years
of continuous oral and written documentation, is a microcosm of the highest
ideals of the social culture. Many of China's greatest historical personages,
going back to Confucius, were associated with the qin. Yet, for all of that, the
qin is little known in Chinese society, let alone the world at large.
The New York Qin Society was
founded in 2000 by qin players and sinologists to explore and enjoy the music
and culture of the qin. Its members have enjoyed regular meetings at least every
two months since then. The presentations of the members have been published in
the Society's Journal, and are regularly published in this website (see Journal).
More recent activities are chronicled on this website; see Events.
In the period from 2001 to
2005, the New York Qin Society has presented a variety of outreach programs at
venues such as the China Institute, Lotus Music and Dance, the Scholar's
Garden at the Staten Island Botanical Garden, the Taipei Theater, etc. The New
York Qin Society was in residence at Staten Island Botanical Garden from 2001
through 2004. In 2005, members participated in the CHIME conference in
Amsterdam, in performances at the Japanese Garden of the Hammond Museum and in
New York's CultureFest, as well as performances and yajis around the world.
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