Let the music play

Music is a universal language and it is one of the ways to learn about another culture. To spread the teaching of Chinese music to the world, the Confucius Institute has set up the first Music Confucius Institute in Copenhagen. Mu Qian reports.

The delegation from Central Conservatory of Music at the opening ceremony of the Music Confucius Institute in Copenhagen. Photos provided to China Daily

In the Chinese classic Analects, philosopher Confucius (551-479 BC) says "to educate somebody, you should start from poems, emphasize ceremonies, and finish with music".

After some 2,500 years, China is executing Confucius' idea through the Music Confucius Institute, which aims at teaching and promoting Chinese musical art in the world.

Co-founded by Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters and Royal Danish Academy of Music, and with China's Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) as the Chinese partner, the first Music Confucius Institute was inaugurated in Copenhagen in June.

Related: Erhu star plays folk tunes for the future

"The Music Confucius Institute marks the new effort of the Confucius Institute in the arts field," said Guo Shulan, Party secretary of the Central Conservatory of Music and director of the council of Music Confucius Institute, at the institute's recent first board meeting in Beijing.

"It is also a good opportunity for the Central Conservatory of Music and Royal Danish Academy of Music to expand their visions and enhance the diversity of world music cultures."

According to Guo, Music Confucius Institute's work mainly comprises of teaching, performance, research and promotion of Chinese music.

From 2013, students at the Danish academy will be able to take credit courses of Chinese music performance and theory. Chinese percussionist Qiao Jiajia, who will travel to Copenhagen in January, will serve as the Music Confucius Institute's deputy director and first Chinese teacher. The institute will also provide general courses about Chinese music for local students of primary, secondary and high schools.

The delegation from Central Conservatory of Music at the opening ceremony of the Music Confucius Institute in Copenhagen. Photos provided to China Daily

In terms of performances, the institute will hold concerts for students to practice what they learn in the classrooms, and invite Chinese musicians to conduct workshops. It also plans to bring high-level Chinese musicians to tour and perform in Denmark.

"The Central Conservatory of Music will take this opportunity to introduce the best of traditional and contemporary Chinese musical works to the world," Guo says.

In Spring 2013, musicians from both schools will form a Music Confucius Institute troupe and hold a series of concerts and other music events in Denmark and another European countries.