On March 21st, the Taiwan Center in New York City was filled to capacity as the melodious and moving tunes flowed out, capturing the hearts of the audience who sat in quiet reverence. On this day, the Youth Lion Junior Orchestra hosted the “Memorial Concert for Teacher Fang Xiurong”, paying tribute to their beloved artistic director who had devoted herself to the orchestra like her own children, expressing their love and nostalgia for her.
The event was attended by hundreds of community members, including Director Li Zhiqiang from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, State Senator Liu Chunyi, City Councilor Huang Minyi, Director Wang Yiru from the Overseas Community Education and Cultural Services Center, along with various community leaders, citizens, students, and parents.
Director Li Zhiqiang listened attentively throughout the concert and expressed, “Fang Xiurong has dedicated countless time and effort to the Youth Lion Orchestra. The Taiwan Center was her home away from home, and holding this concert in her memory here is especially meaningful. We will forever cherish her memory.”
Conductor Zhong Qiren, in an interview, mentioned that the annual talent show for students was held at the Taiwan Center every March. This year’s concert was particularly special as they commemorated the passing of Teacher Fang. Through music, they honored her exceptional contributions to music education and sought to carry forward her spirit. Students and teachers performed a total of 15 pieces, including two of Fang Xiurong’s favorite Taiwanese pieces – “Angels from Formosa” by Xiao Tairan and “Looking for the Spring Wind” by Tang Yuxian.
Fang Xiurong’s daughter, opera composer Chen Jiesi, delivered a speech, expressing gratitude for the love and support shown towards her mother. She described how her mother treated the orchestra as her own, investing countless hours and meticulous attention to detail to foster its growth and development. The dedication found in her home documents reflects her unique happiness and the meaning she found in being part of the orchestra.
In an interview, the president of the Orchestra Parents Association, Mao Junjun, remarked on the dedication of the children during the rehearsal for the commemorative concert. The children practiced diligently with a sense of reverence for Teacher Fang, pouring their emotions into every note.
The founder of the orchestra, Zhu Linji, attended the event to remember Teacher Fang, expressing gratitude for her dedication to the community and the next generation, even after more than 20 years since his departure from the orchestra.
Since 1998, Fang Xiurong has been in charge of the Youth Lion Orchestra and served as the artistic director. The orchestra has been holding annual concerts at the Alice Tully Hall since 2002. Over the past nearly 30 years from 1998 to 2026, she led the orchestra on tours in the U.S. and around the world, nurturing numerous talented musicians in various fields. Fang Xiurong peacefully passed away on January 4, 2026, at the age of 78.