The National Band Association - LI MEIZHU — THE FIRST FEMALE BAND CONDUCTOR IN THE CHINESE MILITARY

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LI MEIZHU — THE FIRST FEMALE BAND CONDUCTOR IN THE CHINESE MILITARY
By Fred David Romines

In December 2005, I visited the People's Republic of China on a logistics trip related to the May 2006 University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band's two-week performance tour. This visit provided an opportunity for me to interview Li Meizhu. Ms. Li is retired from the Military Band of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA Band) where she served as Vice Director. She carries the distinction of being the first female conductor assigned to this organization. Music educator, conductor, and advocate for the creation of new music accurately describe the primary focus of her military activities.

Our first meeting took place at the Yanjing Haihang Hotel in downtown Beijing. Dr. Song Yang (Vice Chairman of the U.S.-China Cultural and Educational Foundation) served as our interpreter. During this initial meeting, Ms. Li talked about her early childhood, her conservatory education, and her life as a military band conductor. Ms. Li also discussed her post-retirement work with youth bands in and around Beijing. Later in the week, I was her guest at a traditional Chinese banquet held at the PLA Band's headquarters. This banquet gave me the opportunity to meet the Mr. Jiang Si Wen (Assistant Conductor of the PLA Band and Vice Chairman of the Chinese Band Association) and Mr. Gan Bei Lin (Beijing Education Commission member and Minister of Music Education). Those of you who are familiar with Chinese culture know that these banquets are elaborate affairs with as many as twenty courses and that the meals routinely last for over two hours. This gave Ms. Li plenty of additional time to reflect on a remarkable career.

She was born in 1939 near Beijing and attended a Beijing Christian School. During this time, Christian schools existed in some numbers and even today there are eight Christian Churches within the Beijing city limits. Her exposure to the singing of religious hymns inspired her to study music. During their middle school and high school years, Chinese students who displayed exceptional potential were allowed to attend one of several regional or national music conservatories Ms. Li was a dedicated piano student and her keyboard skills led to a 1954 appointment to the Shenyang Conservatory located north of Beijing.

In the late 1950's the Chinese Government began an initiative to train the first generation of female conductors. Ms. Li (now in her 20's) continued her advanced studies at Shenyang Conservatory and was allowed to major in conducting. The Shenyang Conservatory featured an accomplished conducting faculty and Ms. Li was a distinguished student. In addition to her conducting studies, Ms. Li also began her connection with the Chinese Military by becoming the pianist for the Army Arts Ensemble. This group focused on traditional Chinese dance and folk music. She also gained experience conducting western style choirs and orchestras while continuing to conduct traditional Chinese orchestras.

Ms. Li graduated from the Shenyang Conservatory with her conducting degree in 1964. The conservatory administration decided that she would return to Beijing and take a military position with the Entertainment Group of the Army Engineering Division. This ensemble would often tour China bringing musical and theatrical presentations to soldiers in remote areas. It was during this time that Ms. Li began to build a solid reputation throughout the region for her interpretation of large scale Beijing opera. Additional conducting instruction came during this period when she studied with Mr. Liu Xiao Yang who built his reputation as a choral conductor in Hong Kong and with Professor Xu Xin who taught at the Chinese Central Conservatory in Beijing.

The Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), proved to be a difficult period for intellectuals and artists and Ms. Li's career was not immune to political scrutiny. She was strongly criticized by government officials who were displeased with the content of her musical programs. As a result, the central government took action and in 1974 transferred her to the Xinjing Military Music Group to serve as a conductor and member of the faculty. Xinjiang Province is in the extreme northwest region of China. The area features a desert climate known for extreme temperature changes, unique Russian influences, and a mixed Turki-Mongol ethnic majority population. However, for an aspiring conductor it had many limitations. "I thought I would never leave", Ms. Li stated. While she was stationed in the region, Ms. Li organized a propaganda team of musicians who performed for soldiers throughout western China.

After the Cultural Revolution ended, Ms. Li fortunes changed and in 1979 she was transferred back to Beijing where she assumed conducting responsibilities for the PLA developmental band. In this new position, she shared conducting responsibilities with her associates and worked with the newest members of the band to improve their basic musicianship. Many within the PLA Band felt that her work with the younger members formed a solid foundation for the entire organization. Ms. Li's curriculum exposed the new band members to advanced instruction in music theory, ear training and the musical elements of Romantic, Classical and Contemporary styles. Ms. Li explained that the training regimen was difficult at times. I asked her about members who were having difficulties with their studies and she stated, "Extra assistance was always provided for those who were having problems, but once they were accepted in the program, it was our job to see that they make it through."

I asked Ms. Li if there was any advice that she wanted to share with young conductors and she offered the following: "I consider myself to first be a conductor and since all conductors are teachers, I am as teacher too. Being a female conductor had advantages because it made me more popular in some circles. However, any notoriety that I may have gained by being a female conductor would quickly fade if I were not prepared to achieve artistic results. I am strict when it comes to rehearsals and rehearsal preparation. However, I do not think of that a conductor should be unapproachable. All of my students have eventually become my friends."

Ms. Li also added suggestions of a technical nature, "Conductors must understand how instruments work and be prepared to address inherent problems that might impact intonation, blend, and musical expression. Also, building technique is important for everyone and strict discipline should be applied since physical skills are being developed. However, being able to sing through your instrument with the appropriate emotion is the musical skill that is most desired and must be carefully cultivated. I approach most musical instruction from a vocal model and believe that singing should be a part of the instrumental ensemble rehearsal."

Ms. Li worked behind the scenes for over 12 years as a gifted teacher, compassionate motivator, and skilled conductor. However, in 1995 she stepped directly into the national spotlight when she was chosen to be the principal conductor for the 1996 Chinese New Year Celebration. The experience she gained early in her career working with ethnic musical and theatrical groups and her tendency to program traditional Chinese music helped her secure this honor. The event was a success and Ms. Li earned numerous accolades and national exposure. The experience provided an appropriate capstone to a noteworthy military career.

During the past ten years, the PLA Band has released several new recordings featuring the music of contemporary Chinese composers. I asked Ms. Li about the PLA Band's commitment to new music and she provided the following insights: "Establishing relationships with composers and encouraging them to write new music for bands is an important responsibility for conductors. It is helpful for composers if you discuss with them ways to make new things happen. Composers appreciate suggestions that result from the experience conductors have gained working with wind instruments and bands. It is best when composers and conductors work together to create new art for all to hear." I asked her about composers with whom she had worked and she provided the names Chen Xian, Ji Cheng, and Chen Dan. The PLA Band has recently recorded works by all of these composers.

As we discussed repertoire, she mentioned composers and compositions that are staples of American Concert Bands. "We all like to program Sousa marches and I enjoy conducting the compositions of Alfred Reed. Our band has also programmed the Holst Suites and Copland's Outdoor Overture". Upon learning of her interest in composers that are so important to western bands, I asked if she had ever studied with or observed American band conductors. Ms. Li was quick to mention that on separate occasions, both Fred Fennell and Frank Battisti visited and worked with the PLA Band. "These men were so kind and it was obvious to me that they were master musicians."

Ms. Li continues to work with bands throughout China with most of her teaching and conducting centered in the Beijing area. She stated, "I have remained very busy and have done quite a bit of freelancing during my retirement. I am often asked to work with Middle School and High School bands and have served as the conductor of the Golden Sailing Band." This ensemble is a very selective and competitive group of high school aged musicians that have played for foreign dignitaries and participated in celebrations throughout China.

In December 2006, Ms. Li and along with several of her military colleagues will travel to Chicago to attend the Midwest Clinic. This will be her first trip to the United States and is extremely excited to have a chance to hear the great American bands.

F. David Romines is in his seventh year as Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Georgia. His duties include instrumental music education courses, undergraduate conducting classes, and he assists in all areas of the band program. In 2003, he was appointed Director of the University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band.

Romines holds Bachelor and Master of Music diplomas in Music Education from the University of Tennessee and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern Mississippi where he studied conducting with Thomas V. Fraschillo.

Conducting activities include serving as Principal Conductor of the University of Georgia Wind Symphony and Guest Conductor of the University of Georgia Wind Ensemble. Additionally, Romines has guest conducted throughout the Southeastern United States, China, Canada and Italy. Contemporary composers of music for winds including Joseph Schwanter have described his interpretations as "engaging and insightful".

In May 2006, 315 members of The University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band under Romines' direction toured the People's Republic of China for two weeks. The Redcoats performed 90-minute stadium shows in Kunming, Chengdu, Xiamen, Nanjing, and Shanghai. The band's performances were enthusiastically received and their performances were featured on Chinese provincial television and on national radio.

Romines has received the National Band Association's Citation of Excellence for his contributions to the wind band profession and was recognized by the Tennessee Governor's School of the Performing Arts for outstanding mentoring and teaching. His professional affiliations include: Phi Beta Phi, Phi Beta Mu, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha, National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, College Band Directors National Association, East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association and Music Educators National Conference.

References
Cui, X (1996) The first woman conductor in the army band, Military Culture
World (China)
March p. 22-23

Personal interviews (December 2005)

Ms. Li's personal papers