26 – 30 August 2025, SOAS, University of London
“China-West Soundscape” Concert
“Echoes of Nature” Gala Concert
We are pleased to announce the Third London International Chinese Music Festival is open for registration. You are warmly invited to join our annual Chinese musical feast – the only one of its kind in Europe.
The festival features expert tuition in a range of Chinese instruments and performances by world-renowned musicians and groups. These include China’s distinguished yangqin dulcimer master Professor Zhao Xinzhi 赵新芝, The Silk Road Dulcimer Ensemble 丝路秦韵扬琴乐团, guqin master Prof. Lin Weili 林蔚丽, young composer/conductor Ray Lin 林秉睿 (Australia), conductor/Chinese flautist Chen Yi-Chuan 陈奕全, and composers Professor Li Xinyan 李欣艳(USA), Sun Keting 孙柯亭 (UK) who will premiere exciting new compositions. UK virtuoso musicians and tutors include Prof. Cheng Yu 程玉 (pipa), Yang Kang 杨康, Mengdie Ji 冀梦蝶(guzheng), Zhang Jiaqi 张家麒 (guqin/ruan), Zongpu Lu 路宗璞 (dizi), Dennis Lee 李光泰 (xiao and xun), Huang Ziyang 黄子洋 (erhu), Michael Skelton 麦克斯凯顿 (percussion) and Wang Wei 王蔚 (Beijing/Kun Opera). Musicians on Western instruments include rising stars Laure Chan and Adrian Wang 王禹哲 on violin, Li Siqian 李斯倩 on piano and other more artists.
The festival is organised by China Arts (UK), the London Youlan Qin Society, and UK Chinese Music, in partnership with SOAS University of London. Places are limited and early registration is advisable.
The Festival Comprises:
• Two days (optional) Chinese music grading exams/competition 28 and 30 August
• A series of concerts in London 27,29 and 30 August
• Guqin and Chinese Music Yaji, SOAS, 18:00-21:00, 28 August
• Masterclasses, workshops during the festival
• Calligraphy and Chinese chess (Go)
Introduction to Chinese Opera Singing – taught by Wang Wei
– Beijing and Kunqu Opera 京剧 & 昆曲清唱
Beijing Opera 京剧 and Kunqu Opera 昆曲 are both recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage and represent the quintessential art forms of traditional Chinese stage performance. In this five-day (mornings) summer programme during the festival, you will learn the traditional Kunqu classic aria “Zaoluopao” 皂罗袍 and the widely celebrated Peking Opera excerpt “Mu Guiying Takes Command” 穆桂英挂帅’’. Each aria will be studied over two days, with a demonstration show on the last day of the course.Sed ut perspiciatis, unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam eaque ipsa, quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt, explicabo.
Concert Series
• 27 August, 7pm: “Echoes of Nature” Gala Concert. DL Theatre, SOAS, Uni. of London, WC1H OXG.
• 29 August, 7pm: “China-West Soundscape” Concert, St. Marylebone Church, London, NW1 5LT
• 30 August, 7pm: “Showcase” Concert featuring student musicians, Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, Uni. of London, WC1H OXG
One of the highlights is our two contrasting London concerts “Echo of Nature” and “China-West Soundscape”. The former focuses on China’s traditional “intangible cultural heritage” (UNESCO), showcasing Kunqu Opera, guqin, Sizhu Silk & Bamboo and Sixian Silk String music whilst the latter is a journey of Chinese-Western musical exploration. We also have the pleasure of featuring the Silk Road Dulcimer Ensemble (丝路秦韵) from Xi’an, China.
List of Musicians / Artists:
International Musicians / Artists
• Prof. Zhao Xinzhi 赵新芝(yangqin dulcimer master, Xi’an Conservatory China),
• Prof. Lin Weili 林蔚丽 (guqin, China)
• Chen Yi-Chuan陈奕全 (conductor/wind instruments player, Royal College of Music)
Composers
• Zhao Jiping 赵季平
• Prof. Li Xinyan 李昕艳 (Bard College Conservatory of Music, USA)
• Ray Lin 林秉睿 (conductor, Australia)
• Zhao Jiping 赵季平 (China multi-awards wining composer)
• Sun Keting 孙柯亭 (UK, Tangram, Director)
• Li Linhao 李林昊 (Southampton University)
• Li Huan 李浣 (Sichuan Conservatory of Music)
• Barnaby Taylor
UK Chinese Musician / Artists
• Prof. Cheng Yu程玉教授 – pipa lute and guqin player and festival director
• Yang Kang杨康 – guzheng and baritone
• Mengdie Ji冀梦蝶 – guzheng player
• Zhang Jiaqi 张家麒 – guqin and zhongruan player
• Lu Zongpu 路宗璞 – dizi
• Jenny Zhao / Elaine Yu – guqin
• Huang Ziyang黄子洋– erhu player Lu Zongpu – wind instruments (dizi, xiao flutes)
• Dennis Lee 李光泰 – xiao and xun wind instruments
• Michael Skelton – Chinese drumming/percussion classes
• Wang Wei王蔚– Beijing Opera/Kun Opera/Folk Song singer
• Azalea Qin Lei 秦蕾 – Calligrapher
• Musicians from the UK Chinese Music Ensemble
Uk Musicians on Western Instruments
• Li Siqian 李斯倩 – pianist
• Jiang Bingbing 姜冰冰 – pianist
• Laure Chan – violinist
• Adrian Wang 王禹哲 – violinist
• Du Qiujia 杜秋佳 – violinist
• Alex Seow 萧翠珊 – violaist
• Zhu Shanle 朱单乐 – cellist and chamber musician
• Christian Hoddinott – clarinet
• Musicians from New Elements Music
Chinese Music Grading Exams and Competition
– 28 and 30 August, SOAS, University of London, WC1H OXG
We offer students the opportunity to take a grading exam recognised in both China and the UK and to participate in a music competition. The grading is made possible through a partnership between China’s leading authority, China Nationality Orchestra Society (CNOS) and SOAS, University of London. Several participants achieved excellent results, and their grades were accepted and recognised by UK universities and schools.
Exams and competitions (divided into youth and adult groups) include all types of traditional Chinese instruments: guqin, guzheng, pipa, liuqin, yangqin, erhu, dizi, xiao, sheng, suona, hulusi, singing, drumming/percussioninstruments and ensemble/group performances.
Masterclasses and Workshops
• Beijing and Kunqu opera workshop – 京剧/昆曲 – by Wang Wei
11am to 1pm, Saturday, 30th Aug 2025
Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, University of London Russell Square, WC1H 0XG
• Guzheng 古筝(21-stringed zither) workshop – by Mengdie Ji
2 to 3.45pm 26th Aug 2025
RG01 (MB). SOAS, University of London
• Guqin 古琴 (7-stringed zither) workshop – by Prof. Lin Weili
2 to 4pm 27th Aug 2025
KLT (MB, Basement). University of London
• Dizi 笛子 and Xiao 箫 Bamboo flutes workshop – by Lu Zongou/Dennis Lee
2 to 4pm 28th Aug 2025
RG01 (MB). SOAS, University of London
• Yangqin 扬琴 Dulcimer Master class/workshop – by Prof. Yangqin赵新芝 (Invited Master from China)
2 to 4pm 29th Aug 2025
RG01 (MB). SOAS, University of London
• Erhu 二胡 fiddle workshop – by Ziyang Huang, Dacan Chen
2 to 3.45pm 30th Aug 2025
KLT (MB, Basement). University of London SOAS, Uni.
• Calligraphy workshop 书法工作坊 – – by Azalea
4 to 5.45pm 30th Aug 2025
KLT (MB, Basement). University of London
• Chinese Chess (Go) 中国围棋
– Lunchtime leisure activity (26 to 30 August).
Instruments Grading Exams and Competitions 乐器考级和比赛
12pm to 5pm. 28th Aug. DLT, SOAS, Uni. of London
9am to 1pm, 30th Aug. B103 (Brunei Gallery), SOAS, Uni. of London
2pm to 6pm, 30th Aug. MB R201, SOAS, Uni. of London
Yaji Gathering – Guqin and Chinese Music (Open to public, book ticket from eventbrite)
28 Aug 18:00-21:00, Djam Lecture Theatre (DLT), SOAS, London WC1H OXG
A special yaji to celebrate Chinese music. The yaji will provide all Festival participants with a chance to interact, share experiences and perform in an informal and relaxed setting.
Download the exam and competition guidelines here.
Download the festival registration form here.
We reserve the right to adjust the schedule, venues and personnel due to unforeseen circumstances.
