Dr Nicholas Ng - Sacred music of China
Dr Nicholas Ng will be performing at the Sacred Music of China event as part of the Sydney Sacred Music Festival and EDGE activation in Ashfield on Friday 7 September, 7pm at Ashfield Town Hall. He is the co- artistic director alongside Lulu Liu working with the 30-piece Sydney Conservatorium of Music Chinese Music Ensemble and the Chinese choirs of Ashfield celebrate the sacredness of life and nature through traditional Chinese music and song. Featuring the Australian Chinese Happy Choir, Sydney Shaoxing Opera Troupe and West Region Chinese Association Choir with conductor Mr Warwick Tyrrell. More info here: www.sydneysacredmusicfestival.org/china and here: www.facebook.com/events/273152766574128/
Nicholas Ng is a composer/performer and researcher, and currently teaches erhu (2-stringed Chinese fiddle) at Sydney Conservatorium in a course called 'Chinese Music Ensemble'. He also teaches western harmony in the Conservatoriums pre-tertiary 'Rising Stars' program for young artists.
Nicholas shares his story here:
My first instrument was the piano, which I started learning at the age of 4. When I completed my grades around the age of 15, I had a nervous breakdown on this instrument and eventually turned to composing and learning Chinese music at the advice of my high school music teachers. My first erhu teacher was Ms Chen Xuebing.
For the past 15 years, I have worked professionally in the Australian contemporary and Chinese music scenes and have toured to Europe, USA, Canada and New Zealand. I have also worked on collaborative projects in contemporary dance, theatre, film, and in related institutions like the National Gallery of Art and the Gallery of Modern Art. A large part this sort of composition comprises electronic music.
In 2010, while on staff at Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre, I curated a festival, 'Encounters: China', celebrating Australia's centuries-old connection with China through music and the arts. This led to a collaborative project that was remounted at the National Museum of Australia during the Canberra International Music Festival in 2017 (https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/nicholas-ngs-harvest-of-endurance-at-the-canberra-international-music-festival-20170426-gvsphe.html).
Meditation is an important part of my life, and I like learning about my cultural heritage. In 2008, I completed a doctorate at the ANU studying the sacred music of Sydney's Chinese migrants, many of whom reside in the inner west.
When not taking care of my 2 year old, I enjoy singing at Maternal Heart of Mary Church (Lewisham), going to the gym, calligraphy and practising tai chi weaponry.
What is the current creative project you’re working on and what is the inspiration behind it? Apart from working with the Chinese choirs based at Ashfield Town Hall, I am writing a new piece for cellist Paul Stender and myself for another event that will take place in Building 20, The Armory (Sydney Olympic Park). This building was used as an underground ammunition warehouse in the 19th century. Because of the war connection and my interest in Chinese music, this new work is inspired by the Chinese ANZACS who gave up their lives in First and Second World Wars.
What drives your creativity? Nature, history, meditation and art.
What artists/others have most inspired or influenced you – and why? I am influenced by music from all around the world because I feel that it is not possible just to focus on one genre or style of music to be a composer. In terms of 'classical' music, the music of Palestrina, Bach, Stravinsky, Ravel and Bartok have really influenced me in addition to the music of my composition teachers: Anne Boyd, Ross Edwards, Matthew Hindson and Larry Sitsky. I am also an avid fan of Enya, but I don't normally share this with others!
I have often worked with Australian artists Annette Shun Wah, William Yang, Anna Yen, Kim Cunio and Heather Lee. They have been influential figures in life.
What messages are you aiming to communicate through your work? I don't have any explicit messages in mind, but I do aim for my music to be a source of healing and comfort for others. I like my listeners to go on their own journeys with the hope that they will gain something from the experience.
Will you be undertaking any talks/presentations/special events as part of this event? I am mainly playing my instrument during this concert and will be directing it with my colleague and friend, Lulu Liu. She is an extraordinary performer from China who has settled in Annandale. You might have heard her in the movie Mao's Last Dancer.
What do you hope will be the outcome of this showing? What is your next project? I hope for this event to be one of sharing through music, because I believe that intercultural exchange is very important to the development of society, especially a multicultural one such as ours.
My next project involves teaching erhu (2-stringed Chinese fiddle) at an international folk music camp. I believe most of my students will be Celtic fiddlers! https://www.facebook.com/events/149689585710741/
I am also planning to put a CD together of intercultural artists performing new Australian compositions. It will be 100% Australian made!
What are you future goals? I hope to continue teaching at Sydney Conservatorium (or another similar institution) while composing and performing! I also dream of starting a scholarship one day to help young artists establish their careers in music. One of my long-term goals is to spread as much awareness of my instrument as possible around the world.
What is your favourite place in the inner west to work or wind down? My most favourite sacred space is Maternal Heart of Mary Church (Lewisham), where I sing medieval plainchant and Renaissance polyphony in the mens' and mixed choirs. It is a great place for reflection and meditation.
Being in nature, even for a short time and in the middle of suburbia, really helps me recharge and ground myself. So I also spend as much time as possible in local parks, because it is not possible to escape to the bush with my busy schedule.