Welcome to CO21
The 21st Century Chinese Orchestra Development Group
The 21st Century Chinese Orchestra Development Group is not an orchestra. It is a group formed by Chinese Orchestra enthusiasts to gather support for the improvement of orchestra formation and instruments that have hindered the development of Chinese classical music into the 21st century.
Scientific advancement for Chinese instruments are long overdue. Most Chinese instruments that we see today are a mammoth of thousand year old technology with a wonton of 20th century add-ons. Their western counterparts have evolved a long way from what it used to be and what it used to look like (see some Wikipedia articles on Guitar, Trumpet, Violin, etc.) and the invention of the electric violin and the carbon fibre cello are no accident - they are great examples of ongoing evolution of western instruments.
The slow advancement of instruments also restricted the growth of Chinese classical music works. Last century alone we saw many great musical works for the Chinese Orchestra. People like Kuan Nai Chung, Sim Boon Yew, the late Yeo Puay Hian and also young composer Wang Chen Wei have written excellent works for the Chinese Orchestra. We believe that they are only limited by the abilities of the current-day Chinese Orchestra or would otherwise have gone further.
Of course, instruments aren't the only problem. The entire orchestra's layout, the music structure, the musical notation and the (bad) playing habits are all problems that needs to be addressed.
The problem doesn't lie with one specific group - it starts from the instrument makers to the players and composers who all believe that the current state of the Chinese Orchestra is a tradition that must be preserved or cannot be changed.
21st Century Chinese Orchestra Development Group is here to make the difference. Keep checking our site for articles about instruments, orchestra layout and music composition. Anyone is free to participate, anybody can comment. There is no right or wrong - CO21 is an opportunity for improvement.
Discussion Forum
Share your thoughts.
CO21 encourages members of the public to openly discuss and debate ideas on how the Chinese Orchestra. An online forum has been set up for this purpose. Anybody is free to participate.
CO21 also provides a space on the forum for Chinese Orchestras or related musical groups to hold their private discussions. If you would like CO21 to provide your Chinese Orchestra or related musical group a space on our forum, feel free to drop us a message on our contact page.
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