London Youlan Qin Society

The society is an offshoot of the UK Chinese Ensemble, also headed by Cheng, which includes the Silk String Quartet and other projects.

Though it is primarily based in London, the society may hold meetings at other places in the UK for special occasions.

[8] On average, around 10 – 20 members attend for each meeting though for special events, such as when a famous qin master comes over from China, the number of attendees increase significantly.

On top of this, since 2016, there are seasonal weekly classes held at the London Fo Guang Shan Temple which is taught by Cheng Yu.

The Festival drew in participants from around the globe, including Germany, Canada, Taiwan, China, Norway, America, as well as local UK people.

New additions included the graded examinations and competitions for Chinese musical instruments, held at SOAS.

[11] Subsequent summer schools would take on the festival format and move away from the guqin-only instrumental focus, with the LYQS becoming a partner organisation rather than the lead.

Before 2011, the society comprises three permanently elected officers (President, Secretary and Treasurer though the office of last was never officially exercised due to the fact that the Society never charged a subscription fee or formally had any expenditure during this period), several artistic consultants and numerous ordinary members who were basically mailing list subscribers.

Members receive regular mailings via e-mail about the society's activities and important upcoming events.

There is no formal requirement for members to attend any of the meetings or yaji but they must, beginning January 2011, pay a subscription fee.