Following the highly successful workshop on the qin last year, we are now offering 7 full days of expert tuition on a range of Chinese instrumental music. This will include masterclasses on the qin, pipa, dizi and erhu . Participants choose the instrument in which they wish to specialise and the relevant artist becomes their teacher for the week. In addition to teaching individual instruments, we will arrange some basic ensemble classes. There will also be supporting seminars, illustrated lectures, concerts and open discussions with the summer school teachers. Optional tai chi classes are also available. This is a rare opportunity for lovers of Chinese instrumental music to learn and explore Chinese music in the UK. Classes are open to all takers, beginners and advanced (maximum class-size is 15).

The theme of this year's Chinese Summer School is 'Sounds of Nature'. In the 8th century BC, China's 'Eight Materials' classification for musical instruments was based on natural elements such as silk for the strings, bamboo for wind instruments, stone for chimes and metal for bells. China's music itself possesses a deep affection for the natural world. One of the aesthetic principles of Chinese music philosophy has been to explore the relationship between nature, people and music. Its truth, that the natural world (wujing) inspires human feelings that find their expression in music is as relevant today as it was then. Indeed, sounds of nature can be heard in all Chinese music.

Li Xiangting Artist-in-residence (qin)
	The qin is one of the most ancient and sophisticated instruments in China. An intimate solo tradition, it is inspired by the more meditative aspects of Daoism, seeking mystical communion with nature. Professor Li Xiangting is recognised as one of China's outstanding world-class qin (guqin) masters. Professor Li is renowned not only for his individual style of qin music but also for his refined traditional scholarly skills in xiao flute playing, calligraphy, ink-painting and poetry.
Cheng Yu Artist-in-residence (pipa)
	The pipa is highly versatile, sharing with the qin an important historical role in the self-cultivation of the elite and the aristocracy of the imperial dynasties, yet it also features prominently in the earthy folk styles of, for example, the Silk-and-Bamboo ensembles of the Shanghai tea houses. Pipa music is famed for its unique richness of expression. Cheng Yu is an internationally renowned pipa soloist from Beijing, as well as the founder and director of the UK Chinese Ensemble.
Ning Baosheng Artist-in-residence (dizi)
	The dizi has a history stretching back to the Han period (202 BC - 220 AD). Today, it is a highly popular solo instrument in a wide variety of musical genres.The dizi has six finger holes, a mouth hole, and a further hole covered by a thin membrane which acts as a mirliton to give the instrument its wavering and poignant sound. Ning Baosheng is a top class dizi flute master. He will be offering classes on a variety of flutes including the xiao, bawu, hulusi and xun ocarina.
Hu Bin Artist-in-residence (erhu)
	The earliest version of the instrument, known as the xiqin, was played with a horse-hair and bamboo bow and originated among the nomadic tribes to the north of China during the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD). Hence, it is also known as the huqin, the 'stringed instrument of barbarians'. Hu Bin was born in Xi'an, Northwest China and is a well known erhu player. She will offer classes at this year's summer school on both the erhu and gaohu (high-pitched Cantonese fiddle).

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