Last month, the Music Department featured the music of Qin Qian - Philadelphia author, educator and erhu player. She treated the public to a special pop-up performance featuring her students and some very special guests. Over 100 people packed the Grand Lobby, and transmogrified it into a concert hall of traditional Chinese and Western Music. Music Librarians were at the ready with collections of books, scores and music highlighting Chinese and East Asian music.

The program kicked off with her youngest students, who played traditional Chinese folksongs, and then we heard from her older students. A Princeton International Award winning teacher, Qin Qin teaches all ages. We heard songs as diverse as traditional Chinese folksongs, to the 2008 Beijing Olympics theme. Then, midway through the program, Qin Qian announced that there'd be a special treat: she’d play a duet with soprano and Distinguished Professor of Music at Rutgers, Julian Baird.  Video below!

Video by Ning Z.

Next Up

The Music Department’s next Pop-Up Concert will feature Federal Winds, a new woodwind quintet from South Philadelphia.  More information here