THE Shenzhen Futian Star Bright Choir achieved “Excellent,” the highest recognition, during an assessment performance at the 13th World Choir Games in New Zealand on July 18. Their brilliant performance garnered applause from the judges and the audience. The choir has also earned admiration for its exceptional talent and cultural exchange endeavors. During the performance, the choir sang “Trilo,” a Swedish folk song, rendered with a North European flair. Then, they performed a Chinese song inspired by Xu Zhimo’s poem, concluding their show with a song blending blues, jazz and Cantopop styles. Known as the “Olympics” of choruses, the World Choir Games took place in Auckland for the first time this year. It featured 250 choirs from 42 countries and regions, including 97 choirs from China. The Shenzhen Futian Star Bright Choir was invited to attend to cultural activities during the games. To deliver an outstanding performance, the choir underwent intensive training before embarking on their journey. In a flashmob July 16 in Auckland, they collaborated with the Leonessa Choir from New Zealand and the Farnham Youth Choir from the U.K., showcasing the beauty of blending Eastern and Western cultures through singing. At a subsequent concert, the Shenzhen Futian Star Bright Choir impressed the audience with their superb singing skills, offering a rich and layered performance. The fusion of Chinese and New Zealand cultures through their music left listeners in awe. At a workshop held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chinese composer Pan Xingzimin shared insights into the current landscape of Chinese composers with the local audience, followed by a performance by the Shenzhen Futian Star Bright Choir. Some audience members expressed that the performance transported them into the captivating world of Chinese music. A concert at the Holy Trinity Cathedral drew over 800 attendees, featuring performances by the Auckland Philharmonia’s choir, the Sacred Heart Canossian College’s choir, a teen choir from Shanghai, and the Shenzhen Futian Star Bright Choir. This unique musical extravaganza illuminated the beauty of both Chinese and Western cultures. The audience not only appreciated the diversity and inclusiveness of music but also envisioned the extensive possibilities of cultural exchange through this remarkable event. One attendee described the concert as an unforgettable experience. Maarten Van Ingelgem, artistic officer of the World Choir Games, commended the Shenzhen choir for its professionalism. The Shenzhen Futian Star Bright Choir was established by conductor Chen Guanghui in March 2017. With governmental support, the choir, comprised of amateur singers, aims to achieve high artistic standards. In addition to their performances in New Zealand, the choir also showcased its talent in Australia this week, serving as a cultural bridge between China and the world and providing a chance for Chinese music to reach a global audience. (Li Mingzhen) | 