The Mizhi Wind and Percussion Ensemble was established by the County Council and County Government of Mizhi in northern Shaanxi in early 2017 with
the purpose of conglomerating local suona musicians. Currently made up of100 suona players and 100 percussionists, it is the largest and most comprehensively configured ensemble specializing in Shaanbei (northern Shaanxi) suona wind and percussion music on the Loess Plateau.
Known as “the home of Diaochan, one of the Four Legendary Beauties of ancient China, and of Li Zicheng, leader of the peasant uprising at the end of the Ming Dynasty”, Mizhi is the origin of the Shaanbei suona, and has a long history enriched by the indigenous culture. The Suimi suona is on the first National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage for Safeguarding. Led by the renowned suona virtuoso, Professor Gao Xiaopeng, the group has been serving the people while its roots stay firmly on its indigenous soil. It has participated in major arts festivals in various parts of China. In the 2nd National Suona Showcase in 2017, it won first prize in the category of Traditional Ensemble. With its constant goal of passing on the heritage of Shaanbei suona and promoting traditional culture, the Ensemble has drawn a lot of community attention everywhere it went and received high acclaim from the masses.
