Harmony Ensemble is a performing group whose members can present Chinese Music Workshops under the auspices of Ricefield Arts and Cultural Centre.

Workshop structure

One day's workshop will consist of two tutors from Harmony Ensemble offering 2 x 2 hour (approx) sessions. A general format for such sessions can be as follows, although a specific angle could be agreed as required:  a brief, general focus on China and its culture would lead to an exploration of its songs and instruments.  The musicians would then perform two or three contrasting pieces. The class would learn one or two traditional songs  (including a chorus in simple Mandarin Chinese) and then participate in the rhythms of Chinese dances. In passing, the similarities with Scots songs and dances  would be pointed out. A brief performance of material taught would be given, at the end of the workshop, to the teachers present. If necessary, simple music sheets of the melodies to be used could be sent out in advance to the school involved.

Learning outcomes

The children involved in the workshops would have gained an increased awareness of China and, in particular, its musical culture. They would have learned some Mandarin words and their use in Chinese songs as well as experience of performance in a short concert. The interconnections between different peoples of the world would have been made obvious by the comparisons and similarities between the traditional music and dance of this country and China.  Geography, History and Language studies can be linked in to the workshop by follow-up or preview work by teachers within the school. Music sheets left with the school can enable the music, songs or rhythms to be performed again.

There are some examples of Chinese music workshops carried out by members of the ensemble during the past 12 months.  

OCTOBER 2007:  a series of workshops were held in Oakgrove and Willowbank Primary schools conducted by two musicians with the help of a dance teacher and Chinese art and craft workshops from Lin Chau of Ricefield Arts Centre. This was organised by Maggie Singleton of Culture and Sport Glasgow and culminated in a public performance for the Chinese Moon Festival in Merchant Square, Glasgow.

FEBRUARY 8, 2008:  Dr Kimho Ip and Eddie McGuire gave a workshop to several classes in St Crispin’s Primary, Edinburgh.

MARCH 19/20, 2008:  Dr Kimho Ip and Eddie McGuire tutored the school orchestra at Perth High School in a Chinese piece for the opening, by the Education Minister, of the new “Confucius Classrooms” in the school.

JUNE 5, 2008:  Eddie McGuire, with the assistance of Andrew Cruickshank, gave a workshop to primary school children in the Royal Botanic Gardens Education Centre in Edinburgh.

AUGUST 8, 2008:  for the opening of the Beijing Olympics event at Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow, Hooi Ling Eng and Eddie McGuire gave a public workshop focusing on Chinese percussion and drums.

OCTOBER 15, 2008:  the singer from Harmony, Fong Liu, and Eddie McGuire gave morning and afternoon Chinese music workshops at Currie Primary School in Edinburgh, organised by Fiona Dalgetty, Cultural Co-ordinator.

Please contact Ricefield Arts and Cultural Centre to book a workshop with Harmony Ensemble.

Ricefield Arts and Culture Centre
41 West Graham Street
Glasgow G4 9LJ 

Tel: 0141 331 1019
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Web: www.ricefield.org.uk