At noon on April 17, 2025, the event “ A Dialogue Between Northern and Southern Intangible Musical Heritage”, part of the BNBU 20th Anniversary Celebration Series, was successfully held at the university’s Performance Theatre. The event was organized by the Music Department, School of Cultural and Creativity. Professor Tian Yali from the School of Arts at Anhui University was invited as the keynote speaker. With her engaging presentation style—interweaving singing and explanation—Professor Tian delivered a rich and distinctive exploration of China’s intangible musical heritage.

Dr. Li Qixing from the BNBU School of FBM was also invited to give a special guest performance, singing Litchi Ode, a representative piece of Cantonese traditional music. The event drew over 50 students and faculty members from across departments, who came together to experience a unique dialogue between northern and southern musical traditions — and between the ancient and the contemporary.

Professor Tian Yali, currently a graduate advisor at Anhui University’s School of Arts, specializes in music history, aesthetics, and ethnomusicology, with a particular research focus on intangible musical heritage. Her research on Anhui’s intangible musical traditions has been published in leading journals such as People’s Music. She is also an accomplished vocalist, known for her distinctive and expressive interpretation of traditional music forms.

Intangible musical heritage is a precious treasure within China’s rich cultural legacy. Due to China’s vast geography, its intangible music presents notable regional distinctions between northern and southern traditions. During the lecture, Professor Tian contextualized these traditions within Chinese cultural history and introduced the stylistic features, vocal techniques, and expressive forms of Anhui folk songs. She highlighted the origins, development, and ongoing transmission of Anhui’s musical heritage. Dr. Li’s live performance of Litchi Ode offered a vivid representation of southern intangible musical culture. The lecture and interactive segments were met with enthusiastic applause and warmly received by the audience.

This lecture was not only part of BNBU’s 20th anniversary celebration, but also a key initiative by the School of Cultural and Creativity to explore deeper academic exchange and collaboration with institutions in mainland China. In her opening remarks, Associate Professor Wang Jie, Associate Head of the Music Department, emphasized the significance of understanding intangible musical heritage for enhancing students’ appreciation of traditional music and strengthening their creative and performance abilities. At the end of the lecture, several students engaged in discussion with Professor Tian on how to interpret intangible musical heritage and how it might be integrated with Western musical theatre.

Backdrop of the lecture event.

Associate professor Wang Jie, Associate Head of the Department, delivers the opening remarks.

Professor Tian Yali introducing Anhui’s intangible musical heritage.

Professor Tian Yali explaining and singing simultaneously.

Dr. Li Qixing from BNBU’s School of FBM performing the southern heritage piece Litchi Ode as a guest artist.

Group photo of Professor Tian, Dr. Li, Associate Professor Wang Jie, and participating students and faculty after the event.

Professor Tian engaging in a lively discussion with Associate Professor Wang Jie and students and faculty members from the Music Department.

Written by: Jie Wang 
Reviewed by: Sienna Xuanxuan Wu