Passage to the Middle Kingdom

For hundreds of years, China has held sway over the western imagination. With exquisite silks, architecture, poetry, calligraphy, paintings, music and more, the bounty of this great civilization pays witness to the enormous creativity and heart of its people. Passage to the Middle Kingdom focuses on one of China’s most affecting exports: her musical traditions. From America’s suburbs to the subways, from community centers to world-renowned stages, Chinese musicians are bringing the sounds of an ancient art form to our western tapestry. Learn about the instruments, the music and the keepers of this oral tradition.

Producer:
Noel Morris writes for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Atlanta Opera, ArtsATL, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She is producer of the WFMT Radio Network’s “Shanghai Spring” and “Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Broadcast,” and is co-producer of WQXR’s opera podcast “He Sang/She Sang.” Past productions include "Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin," as well as radio series for the Library of Congress, Wolf Trap, WABE in Atlanta and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Noel has produced special projects for WQXR in New York City and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Executive producer:
Jennifer Hou Kwong (Jian Ping) specializes in cross-cultural exchanges and communications. She has facilitated the collaborations for Chicago WFMT Radio Network with the Shanghai Media Group Radio, China Radio International, the Shanghai International Music Festival, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and is adviser for Chicago WFMT Radio Network’s “Shanghai Spring” (two series) and “Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Broadcast.”
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For hundreds of years, China has held sway over the western imagination. With exquisite silks, architecture, poetry, calligraphy, paintings, music and more, the bounty of this great civilization pays witness to the enormous creativity and heart of its people. Passage to the Middle Kingdom focuses on one of China’s most affecting exports: her musical traditions. From America’s suburbs to the subways, from community centers to world-renowned stages, Chinese musicians are bringing the sounds of an ancient art form to our western tapestry. Learn about the instruments, the music and the keepers of this oral tradition.Producer:Noel Morris writes for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Atlanta Opera, ArtsATL, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She is producer of the WFMT... Show full description