Shengzhou blow and beat
Shengzhou blow and beat originated from the temple fair folk activities. It is recorded that as early as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods (770-221 BC), there were temple fairs and sacrifices in Shengzhou, now a county-level city in Shaoxing in East China's Zhejiang province.
From 1949 to the 1980s, Shengzhou folk music gradually formed two major factions. The Xixiang faction, represented by peasant bands in Changle township, gradually formed a combination of gongs, drums and wind instruments. Among these, the method of playing the jianhao (a kind of horn) changed from blowing to inhaling, making the horn sound more high-pitched and exciting, and giving it added power. This playing method is very unique in folk wind instruments.
The Dongxiang faction was represented by Huangze township's peasant band, which focused on the sizhu or traditional stringed and woodwind instruments. Its repertoire is mostly delicate folk songs.
Shengzhou blow and beat is the foundation and an important part of Yueju or Shaoxing Opera. It also has a certain influence on Yueju's singing style and musical accompaniment.
Shengzhou blow and beat was included on the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006.