Greetings from CCNU Tiankong Choir

When I am missing you – Greetings from Tiankong Choir at Central China Normal University

2020 and 2021 have been full of challenges and obstacles for many individuals and families that are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this difficult time, CI’s foundation partner, Central China Normal University ‘CCNU’ would like to convey its best wishes through music. We are sharing five world-class performances by CCNU’s prestigious Tiankong Choir through a different song each month to wrap up 2021.

Acknowledgment: all copyrights of the videos and photos reserved to Central China Normal University

Song I: Happy to see the Spring Rain

This piece is inspired by the famous poem <Happy to See the Spring Rain> in Tang Dynasty. The composer uses light and cheerful music melody with the mixture of contemporary composing techniques to fulfill the expressions and feelings of the poet.

Song II: Miss You in 365 Days

This piece is rearranged from a theme-song in the cartoon movie <Bao Lian Lamp>. With its special dynamic and complicated rhythm and a sudden insert of a cappella in the middle part, this choral version enriches the original melody and the overall presentation on the stage.

Song III: Fisherman's Song

Originally written as a theme-song of a Chinese movie, this piece depicts the scene of a typical Chinese fishing village during the 1930s: the fishermen’s everyday life and work, the sea glinted in the moonlight, and the fishing-boats floating on the sea.

Song IV: Yue Diao: The little Red Peach

The lyrics of this song came from “Yue Diao”, a particular music type of opera in the Yuan dynasty (1271 – 1368) which is an important art form in Chinese history. The composer arranged her choral work to express the beauty of the lyrics – reminding her of the serenity of East Lake during the summertime where people are enjoying boating whilst watching the floating lotuses on the peaceful lake.

Song V: When I am Missing You

It’s a wrap! This is the final song of Tiankong choral performance series. This piece is an exquisite and popular love-song first sung by Qian Baihui, a famous singer in China. In this choral arrangement, the composer used contemporary composing techniques to induce a feeling of sorrow that the audience could relate to.

About Tiankong Choir

Tiankong Choir: an ambassador of Chinese choral music

Central China Normal University (CCNU) is a comprehensive university initially established in 1903. It is recognized as important base for cultivating brilliant talents for the country as well as a superior training centre for excellent teachers in institutions of higher learning. CCNU has 30 schools, and 67 research institutions and laboratories. It employs about 3,500 staff with 2,000 in full-time academic roles. Approximately 31,000 full-time students are studying in the university.

Tiankong Choir ‘Tiankong’ is well-known for its precision, musicality, interactive and various performance styles with high aesthetic pursuit. Currently, Tiankong has performed as both an ambassador of Chinese choral music and the leading Chinese choir to the world.

Tiankong has won numerous prizes and awards. Shortly after its establishment in 2003, Tiankong participated in the 2nd World Choir Olympics (Bremen, Germany) in 2004 and received two silver medals. In 2005, Tiankong’s CD album <The Night of Desert> won “Chinese Golden Recording Award” as well as “Best Choral Performance Award”. In 2008, Tiankong won the 2nd Prize in the 13th CCTV National Television Grand Contest for Young Singers (Chorus Category). In 2010, Tiankong won the 1st Prize in China Chorus Festival. In 2015, Tiankong’s CD album <Our Farmland> received “The 5th Chinese Excellent Publications & Audio/Visual Albums Award”.

Tiankong has given numerous choral concerts domestically and internationally.

In 2009 and in 2018, Tiankong was invited twice to attend “The August Choral Festival” and gave concerts at the National Grand Theatre.

In 2011, as the only invited Chinese choir, Tiankong attended 2011 ACDA National Conference and performed in front of over 2,000 American choral conductors at Orchestra Hall, Chicago Symphony Center. Later, Tiankong toured in the United States and gave concerts in Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., San Francisco, etc.

In 2013, Tiankong was invited by Shanghai Conservatory of Music to attend “The 5th Shanghai Contemporary Music Week” to perform the spearheading Chinese choral music pieces in Shanghai Concert Hall and Heluting Concert Hall (Shanghai).

In September. 2015, Tiankong was invited by Linzer Veranstaltungsgesellschaft MBH to attend International Brucknerfest 2015 and gave concerts in Linz, Austria.

In November. 2015, as the guest choir, Tiankong travelled to Macau to give workshops and concerts in IFCM Asia Pacific World Choral Expo.

In October. 2016, Tiankong toured in Russia and Belarus, and gave four concerts respectively in Grand Hall of Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory (for the celebration of the 150thAnniversary of foundation), Popov Choral Academy, The Belarusian State Academy of Music, and Belarus National Radio Station (live broadcasting).

About Professor Tian Xiaobao

Professor Tian Xiaobao: the artist, scholar and founder of Tiankong Choir

Professor Tian Xiaobao resides as the doctoral advisor and the director of Chinese Chorus Research Institute in Central China Normal University. He is also the founder and the artistic director of Tiankong Choir. Besides his in-campus position, he is also the Vice-President of both Chinese Chorus Association and Chinese Choral Music Federation (affiliated to Chinese Musicians Association). A recipient of numerous awards in choral conducting, he has led Tiankong onto the stages of both China and the world.

As a guest conductor and scholar, Professor Tian Xiaobao has travelled extensively to the U.S., Europe, and South-East Asia, lecturing on Chinese choral music. His publications include “Voice Training” (2000); “Aesthetic Pursuits of Western Classical Choral Music” (2007); “Overview: The Art of Choral Music and Choral Singing” (2008); “Diversification of Contemporary Chinese Choral Music” (2013); “The Noble Aesthetic Pursuit of Western Classical Choral Music” (2016). As a professor, Tian teaches graduate courses of both voice and conducting.

Graduating from the Wuhan Conservatory of Music, Professor Tian received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1982. He earned his doctoral degree in choral conducting (Supervisor: Yan LiangKun) and western aesthetics (Supervisor: Qiu ZiHua) at Central China Normal University in 2007. Due to his outstanding accomplishment, he is listed as “Expert with China State Council Special Allowance”.