The International Percussion Education Association (IPEA), which was founded by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (SHCM) and 14 universities across the world, recently joined the International Music Council (IMC).

The move makes IPEA the first "national and specialized organization" headquartered in China to be a part of the IMC. Other membership categories include national music councils, international music organizations and regional music organizations.

Established in 2014, IPEA has been dedicated to the development of percussion education and international exchanges related to this particular field. It has also been holding annual percussion competitions, masterclasses, forums and concerts in China since 2016.

"We'll cooperate with the IMC and its member associations to promote cultural development, foster exchanges, and protect cultures of all mankind," said Liao Changyong, president of IPEA and dean of the SHCM, at the ceremony held on Nov 24 announcing the cooperation.

"It's an eternal issue for human beings to think of what kind of world to build and how to build it. In the process of building a community with a shared future for mankind, music is a crucial part and percussion will bring the area its unique charm," Liao added.

President of the IMC Alfons Karabuda expressed his congratulations to SHCM in an email, noting that he believes the two sides will work together to develop the cultural cause of all mankind.

According to Silja Fischer, secretary general of the IMC, the two sides will focus on maintaining the diversity of music, cultivating talents, building industrialization platforms for music, and protecting related intangible cultural heritage.