Local middle school students got an opportunity to hear traditional Chinese music Friday, thanks to a program that promotes Chinese cultural events and learning opportunities at U.S. colleges and universities.
About 150 students attended a performance by the Nanjing University Traditional Instruments Orchestra at Troy University’s Dothan campus. The orchestra is on a tour of U.S. colleges and universities.
Beverlye Magnet School Principal Todd Weeks said the event provided his students with an excellent learning experience.
“It’s a good opportunity to see another side of the world and the music that comes with it,” he said.
The Nanjing University Traditional Instruments Orchestra is a student music group, and plays traditional Chinese music using stringed, wind and percussion instruments.
The Troy visit was made possible by Troy’s Confucius Institute. The institute is one of more than 325 institutes and 372 classrooms in 96 countries dedicated to promoting Chinese language learning, cultural education and business exchange.
Troy’s program is funded by the university and the Office of Chinese Language Council International. The university released a statement saying the program has received about $60,000 so far this year to support the Confucius Institute mission.
The Troy Confucius Institute has helped provide credit and non-credit courses, Chinese language classrooms to elementary and middle schools cultural events like Friday’s concert, translation services to local businesses and an exchange platform for scholars.
The Confucius Institute program has attracted some criticism, however, as detractors have said that the program is a propaganda tool for the Chinese government. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, critics say that because of their financial contribution to host colleges and universities, Confucius Institutes have a chilling effect on academic freedom to openly discuss China’s policies and human rights record.
Troy University released this statement when asked about possible controversies regarding Confucius Institutes.
“Troy University has always received the enthusiastic support of our Chinese partners as we attempt to expose our students and the citizens of Alabama to a global experience,” the statement read. “Exposure to China and other international cultures broadens the perspectives of faculty, students, and staff of the university. We certainly do not view the opportunity to better understand and appreciate other cultures as propaganda.”
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