TWO musical instruments foreign to western culture will take centre stage at the Logan Arts Gallery this month.
Year 12 Canterbury College student Jiahao Sun’s Chinese heritage led him to showcase his traditional string instrument, the erhu.
The erhu is a long-necked string instrument with two tuning pegs at the top of the instrument which is played with a bow.
Mr Sun said he wanted to expose the audience and future generations to a special type of instrument which is rarely featured in Australia.
“I want to let more people know about Asian instruments, so people know about it and can pass on Chinese culture,” he said.
“I would like to teach young kids music, I’m thinking of doing a double music and education degree at the University of Queensland.”
“All instruments are hard to learn, but once you find the right key it is similar to the violin you just need to find a good teacher and practice.”
Jiahao noted the date of the performance at the Logan Art Gallery on February 17 was one day after the Chinese New Year, adding greater significance to the promotion of Chinese culture.
Year 8 student Bardia Karbalaei Norouz’s Iranian background sparked his love for the santour since he has played since he was just six-and-a-half years old.
The santour is a quadrangular shaped flat string instrument which is played with by using two hammer shaped objects.
While the instrument is common in Iran, Bardia said finding a teacher in Australia was a long process, but one which was sucessful.
“I couldn’t find a teacher anywhere, it took around half a year to find someone and even now it is at the city and I have to drive there,” he said,
“I have been with my teacher for five years, I guess you could say we understand each other more than I would if I went for a different teacher because he speaks my language.”
Bardia said his passion for the santour was likely to remain with him for a very long time.
“I loved (the santour) ever since I started playing it, it would be great to be able to master it and teach it to other people in Australia,” he said.
“I think it would be good to bring a bit of my culture into this culture because we have a lot of good instruments and if we could blend them all together they would be really good.”
Canterbury College director of Arts Academy Dr Janet Wyvill said highlighting the skills of students from diverse backgrounds offered people an insight which is not common in the classroom.
“What we have is a rare opportunity to be able to have our students showcase their culture,” she said,
“We are very used to the western culture and the sound of western instruments, but to have them teach us and show their expertise, both gentlemen play their instruments better than I could ever attempt and I would love to learn.”
The Logan Art Gallery has featured exhibitions since February 2 and will run until March 10 and is located on the corner of Wembley Rd and Jacaranda Ave, Logan Central.
Bardia and Jiahao will perform on February 17 between 2pm and 3.30pm.
Bookings are essential by February 15 and can be booked by calling 3412 5519.
