On the afternoon of August 25, 2024, the Community Music Center in San Francisco hosted a reunion concert to celebrate Sin-Tung Chiu’s 50th year of teaching. Sin-Tung Chiu, a Chinese violinist, reunited with his former students from across the country to perform classical masterpieces by Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, and more after 36 years, reminiscing about their musical friendships. The concert hall was packed with audiences despite the hot weather, all attentively listening to the exquisite and grand melodies. The concert ended perfectly at 6 p.m. with standing ovations for Sin-Tung Chiu and the musicians, showcasing their exceptional and harmonious performance.
Hailing from Hong Kong, Sin-Tung Chiu has been teaching at the Community Music Center in San Francisco since 1988, nurturing numerous talented students with his selfless dedication and outstanding violin skills. According to the organizers, the concert celebrated Sin-Tung Chiu’s 50 years of teaching and expressed gratitude for his family’s 12 years of support. The reunion concert was sparked by an email that rekindled the bond between teacher and students.
After the concert, Sin-Tung Chiu expressed his gratitude to the organizers, students, and supporters. Reflecting on his 50-year teaching career, he acknowledged the growth and achievements of generations of students. Believing in the transformative power of music, he encouraged young musicians to strive for excellence and “set an example.”
Sin-Tung Chiu emphasized that the event was more than a tribute to him personally but rather a celebration of friendship, understanding, respect, and peace. He emphasized that music is not just a skill but also a lesson in life, urging everyone to cherish the power of music.
Sin-Tung Chiu shared with our reporter that in today’s society filled with hostility, it is essential for people to coexist peacefully, as “music can awaken humanity.” He highlighted the contrast between the war-torn world and musicians playing together, emphasizing the role of peaceful dialogue in resolving conflicts and differences.
Amidst the celebration, Ava’s daughter concluded the concert by performing on the violin. Ava, who came specifically to watch her daughter’s performance, recollected how her daughter, Ying Chen, had been learning the violin with Sin-Tung Chiu since the age of nine until her graduation at 17. Ava chose Sin-Tung Chiu because of his warmth and ability to speak Cantonese, facilitating communication.
Ava mentioned that she initially “forced” her daughter to learn the violin because of its elegance, convenience in carrying, and abundant performance opportunities compared to other instruments. To nurture her daughter’s musical talent, Ava invested a great deal of effort, diligently supervising her practice sessions and providing transportation to and from classes.
Regrettably, after her daughter entered college, she no longer played the violin, disclosing her fondness for the cello all along. Ava expressed remorse, wishing she had let her daughter pursue her own interests. She hoped that by sharing her regrets, she could offer guidance to other parents.
Fortunately, for the reunion concert, Ava’s daughter picked up the violin once again, bringing Ava genuine solace.
Following her performance, Ying Chen shared her joy with our reporter, expressing the profound significance of celebrating life and friendship with musicians from around the country. For her, the gathering of three generations was particularly special, especially seeing her grandmother, who had not heard her play in a long time, delighted that she had resumed playing the violin.
Despite her mother’s initial push to learn the violin rather than her preferred cello, Ying also shared that, in her childhood, she had been interested in the cello. Even though she played the violin that day, she felt immense happiness and a sense of fulfillment. Ying further emphasized the utility of mastering the violin, stating, “After playing the violin for so long, I really don’t want to abandon it forever. It is a very useful skill.”
Sin-Tung Chiu is an internationally renowned violinist who won violin and chamber music awards in Hong Kong at the age of 12. He went on to study in Germany under the tutelage of Denes Zsigmondy and Anneliese Nissen. Sin-Tung Chiu is an alum of prestigious music institutions like Dartmouth College and the Juilliard School, where he received guidance from renowned teachers including Dorothy DeLay and Ivan Galamian.
He is the founding violinist of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in New York, having performed in concerts and tours at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Sin-Tung Chiu has held positions at various music institutions, including being an artist-in-residence at the Bay View Music Festival in Michigan, assistant violin professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and visiting associate professor of violin at Texas Christian University.
Becoming a U.S. citizen in 1984 in New York, Sin-Tung Chiu settled in San Francisco in 1988. Since then, he has taught violin at the Community Music Center and has also taught and performed at several music schools and ensembles. Actively involved in international music events, Sin-Tung Chiu is dedicated to teaching students of all ages, striving to promote classical music and the performing arts.