Ba Ban Chinese Music Society of New York

founded in 1999, the ba ban chinese music society of new york is dedicated to the preservation, creation and presentation of chinese traditional and contemporary performing arts. it is based in new york. named after an ancient piece of folk music, “ba ban” literally means “eight beats” which is the structural basis for the grouping of notes in traditional chinese music. the ensemble includes highly accomplished artists who have performed in concert halls around the world. the ensemble performs on "silk and bamboo" (sizhu) instruments—a classical instrumental grouping dating from the qing dynasty (1636-1911) that includes various dizi (bamboo flutes), sheng (mouth organ), pipa (lute), zhongruan (alto lute), guzheng (zither), huqin (fiddles), and yangqin (hammered dulcimer). in addition to concerts, ba ban also offers arts education programs. since its founding, the ensemble has performed frequently in carnegie hall, lincoln center, merkin concert hall, the metropolitan museum of art