2015 Sias University Graduation Banquet Page 7

Dr. Shawn Chen Gives Welcome Toast

My Chinese son Dr. Shawn Chen gives the welcoming toast to the assembled guests. Shawn does not drink spirits but often has to give a welcoming toast. In the background musicians with traditional Chinese musical instruments entertain the guests with some beautifully subdued musical selections. The instrument in the center is a zheng.

The zheng was very popular during ancient times, as early as the Warring States Period and the Qin Dynasty (225 to 206 BC and earlier). The Zheng has an arched surface and is elongated-trapezoidal with 13 to 21 strings stretched over individual bridges. Although metal strings are common today, the strings were of silk in ancient times. The zheng rests on two pedestals and is played using 3 to 4 imitation fingernails. To the right of the zheng is a yueqin.