ZJU bridges generations through Ethnic Chinese Orchestra Concert

The joint Chinese Ethnic Orchestra concert themed “Path of Heritage, Voices of the Ethnic” was held on May 9th in Zijingang Campus Theater. Elementary, secondary, and university students collaborated to highlight the inheritance of traditional music.

The concert, presented by Wenqin Chorus of ZJU, Xuejun High School and Daguan Primary School Ethnic Chinese Orchestras in collaboration with conductors. From traditional songs “Spring”  “Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon” to adapted pop music “Phoenix Dance”, the members paid tribute to classical Chinese folk music, showcasing the intertwining passion, reflection, and hope within this kind of music.

According to ZHOU Yiru, the main conductor of the concert, it was such a precious opportunity to bring together traditional Chinese music lovers in different age groups together to finish the performance.“It was all students’ sincerity and enthusiasm overcame all the inconveniences during the rehearsals.”

CHEN Qiang, a member who played the pipa in Wenqin, expressed her love for “Silk Roads”, which broadened her understanding of performance techniques. “While traditional pipa performance relies on plucking strings, in this composition we tap on the instrument's body.” This action create a novel experience for the audience.

“It showcases the living transmission of traditions.” described FENG Hanyi, a third-year student audience. When students united by shared musical passion perform the same composition, age differences pose no barrier to their emotional resonance or technical collaboration.

During the piece's closing, ZHOU's commanding gestures stirred a wave of exuberance, earning enthusiastic applause. ZHOU said the preservation of our ethnic culture requires collective efforts. Every student on stage, holding traditional Chinese instruments and dedicating themselves to safeguarding this cultural heritage, is admirable.