New York Youth Chorus teachers and students visit Guangdong

A group of 45 students and teachers from the New York Youth Chorus is currently in Guangdong from October 5 to 13, focusing on themes of “green development,” “open innovation,” and “civilizational exchange.” They are participating in themed activities throughout key cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai. Highlighting their visit, they will host a “World Bay Area Choral Bridge Exchange Concert” and engage in cultural exchanges with local youth at several schools such as Guangdong Experimental High School, Shenzhen Senior High School, and Zhuhai No. 1 Middle School.

Guangdong Experimental High School, a key organizer of the event, has a storied history, originally serving as a preparatory institution for students heading to the United States. Over the last century, the school has played a significant role in Guangdong’s educational exchanges with the world. As part of its centenary celebrations, the school welcomed the New York Youth Chorus to enhance international cultural and artistic exchanges, fostering stronger ties between China and the U.S.

During a welcome reception on the evening of October 8, Chen Guangjun, Vice President of the Guangdong People’s Friendship Association, shared his thoughts on the event’s significance. He highlighted Guangdong’s historical role as a starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, underscoring its long-standing position as a meeting place for Eastern and Western civilizations. Chen pointed out that the Greater Bay Area is one of China’s most dynamic and open regions, expressing hope for fruitful collaboration between the Greater Bay Area and the New York Bay Area, which is recognized as the leading economic bay area globally. He anticipates that these connections will lead to deeper exchanges and friendships between the youth of both regions.

“The power of music brings young people together, allowing them to understand the shared breath of singing,” stated Francisco J. Núñez, founder and artistic director of the New York Youth Chorus, in an interview. “Once they feel that connection, we can start a dialogue. Any dialogue is open, and gradually, we can reach common ground.”

On October 9 and 12, the New York Youth Chorus is scheduled to perform alongside the Guangdong Experimental High School Choir and the Zhuhai No. 1 Middle School Xingkong Choir at the Xinghai Concert Hall and Zhuhai Grand Theatre, respectively. In Shenzhen, the American students and educators will tour the Shenzhen Senior High School campus, collaborating with the school’s Lily Choir and Purple City Male Chorus for an exciting performance. The interactions between the Chinese and American youth have been warm and engaging, enriched by their visit to the exhibition “The Tide Rises Along the Pearl River – Guangdong’s 40 Years of Reform and Opening Up.”

In Guangzhou, the group will explore the Guangzhou Zoo, Greater Bay Area Art Center, Guangdong Provincial Museum, Guangdong Cantonese Opera Museum, and the Guangzhou Youth Palace. They will also interact with the design team behind the popular mascot Bing Dwen Dwen and immerse themselves in various aspects of traditional Chinese culture, including calligraphy, paper cutting, martial arts, and table tennis. In Zhuhai, they plan to visit the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to witness the integrated development of the Greater Bay Area, followed by a tour of the Zhuhai Space Center to gain insights into the evolution of China’s space missions.