Chinese Music Ensemble Wins 4 Awards at 2014 Huain Cup International Chinese Instrument Competition

Four members of Carleton’s esteemed Chinese Music Ensemble were recently honored at the 2014 Huain Cup International Chinese Instrument Competition at the Le Petit Trianon Theatre in San Jose, Calif. A panel comprised of elite musicians and music scholars from the People’s Republic of China awarded a Gold Medal to Yawen Chen ’15 (China) on the Dizi (Chinese bamboo flute); a Silver Medal to Vicky Wu ’17 (China) on the Guzheng (Chinese zither);  and Bronze Medals to Xiaodi Wang ’16 (China) on the Erhu (Chinese fiddle) and Ken Wang ’15 (Canada) on the Sanxian (Chinese banjo).

This year marks the third time Carleton students have competed in this prestigious competition. Kimloan Nguyen ’08 took home a Gold Medal on the Pipa (Chinese lute) in 2008, after being awarded a Silver Medal in 2007.

The students’ participation in this competition was made possible by the Parents Fund for Academic Excellence from the Dean’s Office and the Department of Music. The Carleton College Chinese Music Ensemble is directed by Gao Hong, who serves as the music department’s performance activities coordinator as well as a lecturer in Chinese musical instruments. She is a graduate of the Central Conservatory of Music and has received numerous honors and awards for her work. Gao Hong is a world-renowned Pipa (pear-shaped lute) player and has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia with groups including St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Heidelberg Philharmonic, and the (San Francisco) Women’s Philharmonic.

The Chinese Musicians Association of America (CMAA), Chinese Musicians Association of China, National Chinese Orchestra of China presented the 2014 Huain Cup International Chinese Instrument Competition on February 6, 2014. Primarily focused on solo performance on traditional Chinese instruments, the competition is designed to discover talents, promote cultural exchange and friendship. In the multi-cultural American community, it provides an unique opportunity and platform for Chinese musicians to present their talents and introduces Chinese music to a broader audience.

Organizers: Chinese Musicians Association of America (CMAA), Chinese Musicians Association of China, National Chinese Orchestra. Co-Organizer: Central Conservatory of Music of China, Stanford University Pan-Asian Music Festival. The competition also receives tremendous support from the Ministry of Culture of China and the Chinese Consulate-General of San Francisco.