Music is often called a universal language for its unparalleled ability to bridge divides and foster connections. While classical music often brings to mind a roster of European names—Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Bach–the realm of modern orchestral music explores beyond Europe’s borders. In late 2023, Corey Chang, a visionary third-year doctoral student in composition at the Jacobs School of Music, hoped to expand the genre even further as a part of his IU experience. His proposal, the “East-West Collaboration” project, was an innovative initiative between Indiana University Bloomington’s Jacobs School of Music and the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, blending the rich traditions of Eastern and Western music to unveil the boundless potential of contemporary cross-cultural musical exchanges.
The East-West Collaboration aimed to integrate Eastern and Western musical traditions through student collaboration by developing and expanding the repertoire of mixed Asian ensemble music. Chang selected composers from the composition graduate students at Jacobs and paired them with music students at the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music in China, hoping to promote cultural exchange and explore the potential of combining Chinese and Western musical instruments through commissioned works and performances.
Chang was inspired to initiate this project two years prior, after observing his talented classmates and colleagues at countless rehearsals. “Watching performances at Jacobs, I had noticed a heavy focus on classic pieces,” Chang recalled. “I felt there was a need for initiatives with a more modern grounding.” The collaboration commissioned four IU composition students to write works for small chamber ensembles featuring both Chinese traditional instruments – the pipa, guzheng, erhu, dizi, guqin, and Chinese percussion – and Western orchestral instruments. Additionally, the project included online workshops led by Zhejiang Conservatory students, multiple rehearsals to ensure professional-level performances, and a final concert to showcase the new compositions, held on May 16, at Zhejiang. This collaboration offered a fresh opportunity to blend traditional instruments from the East and West, creating a space for students to explore new musical possibilities.
Chang’s journey to bring this idea to life began with early discussions with IU China Gateway Director Steven Yin and gathering insights from students. IU’s Global Gateways provide spaces for hosting academic and professional events, and the China Gateway in Beijing connects IU faculty and students with local partners, alumni, and students, fostering academic and research activities. For Chang, this meant identifying a music school to collaborate with – with the help of Director Yin, his search led to the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music. “I wanted to meet the students and hear them talk about their instruments, gain their perspectives,” Chang explains. These initial steps were crucial in laying the foundation for a successful collaboration.
The Zhejiang Conservatory of Music is a prestigious public full-time art university situated in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province in east China. Established in 2015, the conservatory is similarly committed to cultivating high-level, professional, and innovative talents in music. Connecting with the Zhejiang Conservatory was a significant milestone for Chang, providing a solid partner for the ambitious project.
Initiating a project of this scale was initially daunting, but Chang’s persistence in seeking support and connections paid off. In addition to the new connections Chang built between Zhejiang, the project also featured a composition from IU alum Shuyu Lin. It was also a journey of connecting with his cultural roots: Chang’s mother immigrated to the United States from China in 1982, giving him the unique perspective of someone culturally both American and Chinese.
Chang emphasized the importance of creativity and advocating for new initiatives, encouraging students to propose and develop their own ideas. “No one’s going to give you that invitation. You have to propose, you have to advocate,” Chang advised the students. Chang’s spring semester was spent orchestrating the collaboration, pairing performers with composers, coordinating the final performance, and fundraising.
The project was supported by grants and advising from the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs, the Graduate and Professional Student Government, the East Asian Languages and Cultures department, and the Jacobs School of Music Office of the Dean, alongside faculty from both Indiana University and the Zhejiang Conservatory.
Coordinating between two institutions in different countries presented several challenges, particularly language barriers and locational issues. Chang, the only participant who did not speak Mandarin Chinese, relied heavily on Steven Yin to make sure his ideas and guidance for the project weren’t lost in translation. Despite needing to work through a translator, Chang was delighted by his experiences with the Hangzhou-based students. “The musicians were incredibly receptive,” he said. “Very eager and curious, model musicians!”
In May of this year, Chang attended the debut of the pieces live, alongside Jacobs School of Music David Henry Jacobs Bicentennial Dean Abra Bush. “One of the key factors of Indiana University’s continued success in cultivating world-class performers and composers is the transformative creativity that was on display tonight,” she said. “Collaborations like Chang’s showcase Indiana University’s commitment to producing skilled, relevant, and unique voices that speak across cultures, pedagogy and genres.”
Xinyuan Deng, one of the participating composers, reveled in the opportunity to build those connections. Her piece, “Roaming Blooms,” integrates Chinese and American folk songs, reflecting her cultural heritage and current musical experiences. “My goal was to blend these elements into a meaningful cross-cultural chamber music piece,” Deng explains. “Hearing my piece live was exhilarating. It was deeply moving to see my vision brought to life.”
Another composer, Huan Sun, approached folk music less harmoniously: Sun’s piece highlighted the anti-war themes she found across both country’s songs, utilizing Chinese drums to create a battle-like environment through percussive effects. Despite the combative nature of her music, Sun’s takeaway from the experience was much more collaborative. “I am so glad I could bring my music back to my home country after studying abroad for over seven years, and return with all my love for my culture,” she says. “It was a fantastic experience!”
Reflecting on the experience of seeing the final pieces performed live, Chang expressed immense pride and fulfillment. “The atmosphere on the day of the concert was surreal,” he says. “It was a tremendous experience.”
His advice for educators looking to create similar projects is to network extensively and trust in their abilities. “Reach out to people, and trust that someone will direct you to the right place! You can do it.”
For Chang, the most rewarding aspect of the project was receiving validation from peers and faculty. Providing opportunities for other composers and fulfilling his role as an artist was a deeply gratifying experience. “I got to do something that was beneficial for these other composers – an act of kindness in providing this opportunity for them,” Chang reflects. “It’s not just our responsibility to create, but to enable and uplift others’ creativity too.”
Corey Chang and his peers have created a rich, educational, and creatively fulfilling environment that not only enriches their own artistic journeys but also paves the way for future initiatives that bring diverse musical cultures together.
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