The Orange County Taiwan Traditional Week’s Classic Music Concert was held on the afternoon of May 25th at the Lakeview Senior Center in Irvine, attracting nearly 300 guests. Attendees of all ages were immersed in the beautiful and moving melodies of folk songs, old tunes, and classic pieces, enjoying a wonderful time together over the long weekend.
The director of the Orange County Chinese Cultural Center, Agnes Hsiao, expressed gratitude in her speech for the Taiwan Traditional Week Organizing Committee for coordinating a series of exciting events. This year’s classic music concert featured performances by the Song Waves Chamber Music Ensemble, the Flute Harmony Duo, the Irvine Chinese Chorus, and the Irvine Silver Fox Harmonica Ensemble. They shared touching melodies from Taiwan with local residents, second-generation Taiwanese-Americans, and the mainstream community. The event concluded with a special thank you to the Orange County Taiwanese Association for providing traditional mochi gifts.
The Song Waves Chamber Music Ensemble showcased a variety of performances including quartets, duets, and solos, playing pieces like the Hakka mountain song “Tiangong Luo Shui” and the Taiwanese folk song “Wang Chun Feng”. Members of musical families, such as mothers and sons or brothers, participated, highlighting the diverse talents of the next generation of Taiwanese-Americans.
The Flute Harmony Duo, consisting of twin siblings Shiyue and Shiying Chen, mesmerized the audience with performances of songs including “Tian Hei Hei”, “Gao Shan Qing”, and “Niao Yu Hua Xiang” on bamboo flutes, mouth flutes, and panpipes, producing crisp and melodious bird-like sounds that left a lasting impression.
Under the baton of conductor Mr. Sun Weizhi, the Irvine Chinese Chorus celebrated its 35th anniversary and is preparing to perform in Germany. They performed pieces like “Wang Chun Feng / June Jasmine Suite”, “Zhi Zu”, and a German song, receiving enthusiastic applause and cheers for their moving and elegant harmonies.
Conducted by Ms. Zhong Xiyin, the Irvine Silver Fox Harmonica Ensemble played songs such as “Clap Song”, “Hometown at Dusk”, and “Childhood”, interspersed with whistling, percussion instruments, and a mass sing-along by the audience. The familiar melodies evoked shared memories, while the rhythmic harmonica music filled the venue with a contagious youthful energy.
Lyu Yaoxun, Zhang Xinzhu, Xu Zhansheng, Huang Hefen, and Agnes Hsiao from the Orange County Taiwanese Traditional Week Committee presented commendations to representatives of the four music groups that participated in this year’s classic music concert, thanking them for their contributions in promoting Taiwanese music overseas.