On the evening of May 25th, the auditorium in the center of Lexington town was filled with the resounding sounds of traditional Chinese music performed by the Chinese Music Orchestra of Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association (GBCCA) to celebrate their 40th-anniversary concert. The concert received enthusiastic cheers and applause from hundreds of audience members.
“I sincerely thank all of you for coming tonight to share this special moment with us. Your presence has made tonight a memorable chapter in our 40-year shared history,” said Francesca Mei, the president of GBCCA.
Joining the orchestra in 2012, Mei has played various instruments such as gongs and yangqin over the years. Every Saturday, she dedicates time to rehearsing with the orchestra. “The hours spent rehearsing have not only built lifelong friendships but also created unforgettable memories, making me always look forward to orchestra activities,” Mei said.
The concert on Saturday evening began with the vibrant percussion ensemble led by teacher Chen Zhixin, titled “Joyous Gong and Drum,” setting a lively tone for the “Elegance and Charm” concert.
The first half of the concert included pieces such as “Torch Festival Night,” “Flower Demon,” “Strolling on the Su Causeway,” “Celebrating the Deity,” “Tea Picking Dance,” “Lament of Red Mansions: QIngwen’s Tune,” and “Beautiful Phoenix Tail Bamboo.” The second half featured compositions like “Rolling Walnuts,” “Red Flower Variations,” “Spring Festival in the Snowy Mountains,” “White Peony,” “Beautiful Jiangnan,” “Fisherman’s Song of the East China Sea,” “Celebrating the New Year,” and “Encounter of Wind and Clouds.”
These pieces are classics that the Cultural Association Chinese Orchestra has performed over its 40-year history. The final three pieces were a grand ensemble featuring both orchestra members and guest musicians like Zhen Ruomao, Gao Hongwei, and Lin Zhantao, who are well-known in the overseas Chinese community.
The entire concert was conducted by the veteran teacher Chen Zhixin. His wife, senior guzheng instructor Yang Xinyi, also participated in the performance of several pieces.
As the evening reached its climax, Pan Taichun, the orchestra leader, invited all former members and guest musicians to join him on stage to commemorate the artistic journey of the past 40 years with hundreds of on-site and remote audience members. The gathering included predecessors who were part of the orchestra more than 10 or 20 years ago and enthusiastic members of both older and younger generations who have been dedicated to the orchestra.
Originally known as the MIT Chinese Music Society, the orchestra joined GBCCA in 1984 and has continued to grow over 40 years, expanding from simple performances to encompassing a variety of instruments and more complete vocal parts. They have also developed a junior Chinese orchestra to nurture the next generation of musicians.
In addition to their annual performances, both the Cultural Association Chinese Orchestra and the junior orchestra are invited to participate in various events such as “Boston First Night,” Dragon Boat Festival, campus performances, and more.
Reflecting on decades of experience, the junior orchestra leader Ouyang Dongmei expressed relief at passing on responsibilities to the younger generation. “I feel they have a deep understanding of Chinese music, so entrusting them gives us peace of mind. They are not only interested in Chinese music but also excel at tasks we assign them, sometimes even surpassing our expectations. Their fresh ideas will lead our orchestra to a more vibrant future,” Ouyang Dongmei said.