2025
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Sunday, March 9, 2025
Shutong Li, conductor
Bitó Conservatory Building, Performance Space 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm EST/GMT-5
The Spring concert of the Bard Chinese Ensemble's 24-25 season features a new selection of captivating works for our large ensemble comprised of Bard Conservatory's Chinese instrument students along with Western instrument players eager to explore this distinctive repertoire.
Join us to experience four unique pieces arranged by conductor Shutong Li especially for this concert: A stunning double concerto for dizi and flute, seamlessly blending Eastern and Western musical traditions with a deeply moving narrative. Two movements from the sheng concerto Peacock, evoking the elegance of Baroque music. The Blasting of Master Handan with explosive, dramatic passages reminiscent of The Rite of Spring. The Four Seasons Garden by the esteemed composer Wang Danhong, delivering emotional depth that goes straight to the heart.FREE and open to the public.
View the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/VDmXVduiYKo
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Thursday, May 1, 2025 – Saturday, May 3, 2025
7th Annual International Conference of the US-China Music Institute
Various Campus Locations The seventh annual conference of the US-China Music Institute is a three-day series of scholarly, interactive, and musical events exploring intercultural exchange while drawing on the rich tapestry of Chinese musical heritage and its resonance in the West.
Topics discussed will focus on the following three pivotal areas: Leadership on Chinese music development in Western society Expanding the approaches and perspectives on Chinese music research Successes and challenges in Chinese music teaching in the WestThe conference is presented in partnership with the Central Conservatory of Music, China, and in collaboration with China Institute of America.
View the conference website for more information about specific events and participants. Registration in advance is kindly requested.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, MAY 1CHINA INSTITUTE IN AMERICA, 100 Washington St, NY, NY 10006
4 - 5:30PM Welcome Discussion and Leadership Panel
6:30 - 8PM Opening Ceremony and Concert with the Bard East/West Ensemble
FRIDAY, MAY 2BARD COLLEGE
Olin Humanities Building10AM - 5PM Presentations and Discussion Sessions I and II:
Chinese music research and Teaching in the West
Olin Hall
7 - 8:30PM Concert: the Bard Chinese Ensemble and Guests
SATURDAY, MAY 3BARD COLLEGE
Reem Kayden Science Center and Chapel10AM - 2PM Presentations and Discussion Sessions III and IV:
Graduate Student Forum and Open Presentations2:30 - 4:30PM Annual Yaji (‘Elegant Gathering’)
Calligraphy, poetry, painting, music, and tea
Bard Chapel
7 - 9PM Concert: the Bard East/West Ensemble and Special Guests
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Friday, May 2, 2025
Shutong Li, conductor
Olin Hall 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm EDT/GMT-4
The Bard Chinese Ensemble performs its final concert of the year as part of the US-China Music Institute’s annual conference, Exploration and Resonance: Chinese Music in the West. The ensemble will be joined by soloists Jing Xia (guzheng) and Jin Yang (pipa), both members of the Chinese instrument faculty at the Bard Conservatory of Music.
FREE and open to the public.
Advanced registration is kindly requested. Please register on the Conference Registration Form here.
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Saturday, May 3, 2025
Chapel of the Holy Innocents 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
The Bard East/West Ensemble (BE/WE) and guest soloists will grace Bard’s historic chapel with a program of Chinese musical compositions specially arranged for the unique instrumentation of a Western string quintet, seven traditional Chinese instruments, and percussion. Faculty members Yazhi Guo, Jing Xia, and Jin Yang from the US-China Music Institute will showcase their unique approaches to combining Western and Chinese musical forms, along with other special guests. This concert is part of the US-China Music Institute’s annual conference, Exploration and Resonance: Chinese Music in the West.
FREE and open to the public.
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Sunday, September 28, 2025
Jazz at Lincoln Center 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
The eighth season of the China Now Music Festival presents three major concerts and a discussion forum over two weekends at Bard and in New York City. Our theme is expressed in the two characters 乐 (yuè - music) and 动 (dòng - movement or motion) — Music in Motion.
“This year’s theme explores the dynamic flow of contemporary Chinese music—its innovation, cross-cultural dialogues, and ability to evolve with the times,” said Jindong Cai, artistic director and conductor of the festival.
Schedule of Programs at New York City's Jazz at Lincoln Center:
Concert 1
The Orchestra Now Performs Three Generations of Composers from China
September 28, 3:00 pm
Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center
Tickets: $15–$55
https://ticketing.jazz.org/19439/19440
NOTE: This program will also be performed at Bard's Fisher Center on Saturday, September 27. Learn more.
Concert 2
Bard East/West Ensemble Chamber Opera and Dance Concert
October 5, 3:00 pm
Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center
Tickets: $15–$55
https://ticketing.jazz.org/19439/19443
NOTE: A free preview of this performance will take place on Saturday October 4 at 3pm in the Lázló Z. Bitó Conservatory Building at Bard. Open to the public.
US–China Music Forum
Music in Motion
A Bridge for US-China Cultural Exchange
Co-presented by China Daily
September 28, 5:00 pm
Ertugun Atrium, Jazz at Lincoln Center
Tickets: $10 (includes wine and refreshments)
https://us-china-music-forum-2025.eventbrite.com
The first program will be performed by The Orchestra Now (TŌN) under the baton of Jindong Cai, featuring guest cellist Hai-Ye Ni and singers Manli Deng and Yue Wu. Works by Ye Xiaogang, Zou Hang, Dai Bo, and Yu Mengshi—composers spanning from the post-1950s to post-1980s generations—will illuminate the lineage of Chinese music from the late 20th century to today, evoking reflections on nature, time, and society.
The second program will feature the Bard East/West Ensemble (BE/WE) in a boundary-crossing performance with a Western string quintet, seven Chinese instruments, and Chinese-Western percussion. The concert begins with two movements from Guan Naizhong’s electrifying double percussion concerto The Age of the Dragon, followed by the haunting 30-minute chamber opera Mi 谜 (The Enigma), featuring tenor Eric Carey, baritone Nathaniel Sullivan, and Peking opera performer Xiangwei Yu. The program closes with Wang Danhong’s Four Seasons of the Lingering Garden, a music-and-dance collaboration with choreographer Dai Jian (France) and dancers Mi Peng and Wang Kan (China), where music and movement interweave.
After the September 28 concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center the festival will co-host a US-China Music Forum, co-presented by China Daily. Centered on the theme “Music in Motion” and the core topic of cross-cultural exchange, the forum will draw on the Bard East/West Ensemble’s recent China tour. Moderated by journalist Belinda Robinson (China Daily). Speakers includeing BE/WE Artistic Director Jindong Cai, former Kennedy Center Producer Alicia Adams, and participating musicians will share their experiences, highlighting the unique role of music as a universal language of connection. A reception with drinks and light refreshments will follow.
Press Release: View
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Saturday, October 4, 2025
Bard East/West Ensemble Chamber Opera and Dance Concert Preview
Bitó Conservatory Building, Performance Space 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
Preview the final concert of the 8th annual China Now Music Festival -- Music in Motion. This dynamic three part program of multi-sensory and multi-disciplinary performances, featuring propulsive percussion, contemporary dance, and a new chamber opera, will be performed free of charge and open to the public at the Bard Conservatory prior to heading to Jazz at Lincoln Center on the following day.
The Bard East/West Ensemble performs, comprising of a Western string quintet, seven Chinese instrumentalists, and two percussionists, with Jindong Cai conducting.
Follow the link below for more information about the program and performers.
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Sunday, October 5, 2025
Jazz at Lincoln Center 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
The eighth season of the China Now Music Festival presents three major concerts and a discussion forum over two weekends at Bard and in New York City. Our theme is expressed in the two characters 乐 (yuè - music) and 动 (dòng - movement or motion) — Music in Motion.
“This year’s theme explores the dynamic flow of contemporary Chinese music—its innovation, cross-cultural dialogues, and ability to evolve with the times,” said Jindong Cai, artistic director and conductor of the festival.
Schedule of Programs at New York City's Jazz at Lincoln Center:
Concert 1
The Orchestra Now Performs Three Generations of Composers from China
September 28, 3:00 pm
Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center
Tickets: $15–$55
https://ticketing.jazz.org/19439/19440
NOTE: This program will also be performed at Bard's Fisher Center on Saturday, September 27. Learn more.
Concert 2
Bard East/West Ensemble Chamber Opera and Dance Concert
October 5, 3:00 pm
Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center
Tickets: $15–$55
https://ticketing.jazz.org/19439/19443
NOTE: A free preview of this performance will take place on Saturday October 4 at 3pm in the Lázló Z. Bitó Conservatory Building at Bard. Open to the public.
US–China Music Forum
Music in Motion
A Bridge for US-China Cultural Exchange
Co-presented by China Daily
September 28, 5:00 pm
Ertugun Atrium, Jazz at Lincoln Center
Tickets: $10 (includes wine and refreshments)
https://us-china-music-forum-2025.eventbrite.com
The first program will be performed by The Orchestra Now (TŌN) under the baton of Jindong Cai, featuring guest cellist Hai-Ye Ni and singers Manli Deng and Yue Wu. Works by Ye Xiaogang, Zou Hang, Dai Bo, and Yu Mengshi—composers spanning from the post-1950s to post-1980s generations—will illuminate the lineage of Chinese music from the late 20th century to today, evoking reflections on nature, time, and society.
The second program will feature the Bard East/West Ensemble (BE/WE) in a boundary-crossing performance with a Western string quintet, seven Chinese instruments, and Chinese-Western percussion. The concert begins with two movements from Guan Naizhong’s electrifying double percussion concerto The Age of the Dragon, followed by the haunting 30-minute chamber opera Mi 谜 (The Enigma), featuring tenor Eric Carey, baritone Nathaniel Sullivan, and Peking opera performer Xiangwei Yu. The program closes with Wang Danhong’s Four Seasons of the Lingering Garden, a music-and-dance collaboration with choreographer Dai Jian (France) and dancers Mi Peng and Wang Kan (China), where music and movement interweave.
After the September 28 concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center the festival will co-host a US-China Music Forum, co-presented by China Daily. Centered on the theme “Music in Motion” and the core topic of cross-cultural exchange, the forum will draw on the Bard East/West Ensemble’s recent China tour. Moderated by journalist Belinda Robinson (China Daily). Speakers includeing BE/WE Artistic Director Jindong Cai, former Kennedy Center Producer Alicia Adams, and participating musicians will share their experiences, highlighting the unique role of music as a universal language of connection. A reception with drinks and light refreshments will follow.
Press Release: View
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Sunday, October 19, 2025
Shutong Li, conductor
Bitó Conservatory Building, Performance Space 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm EDT/GMT-4
The Bard Chinese Ensemble (BCE) opens its 2025–26 season with a concert rich in color and emotion, celebrating the many voices of Chinese orchestral music. From the tranquil flow of Yun Shui (Clouds and Water) and the nostalgic warmth of Late Autumn, to the vivid soundscapes of Postcards from Macao and the lyrical heroism of Lyrical Variations, each work reveals a world of its own — expressive, evocative, and profoundly moving.
FREE and open to the public.
Download: Bard Chinese Ensemble 2025 Oct 19 Concert Program.
