Young People’s Chorus of NYC: Youth Dialogue for the Future
Photo Credit: Young People’s Chorus of NYC
On October 8, 2026, Young People’s Chorus of New York City and Guangdong Experimental Choir in China gathered for a special concert celebrating musical and cultural exchange.
Titled ‘Youth Dialogue for the Future,’ the concert was held at the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York City, and was the culmination of an eight-day trip throughout the city where the choruses performed at venues such as Lincoln Center and public schools, while participating in educational and cultural experiences.
“Good evening, teachers and fellow students. We’re very happy to have been invited by the YPC to visit the United States” began one of the students from Guangdong. “We have had such a wonderful, memorable time here. We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the Consulate General of China in New York for providing us with this wonderful stage for the final step of our journey.”
Among the speakers that evening included Ambassador Chen Li, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in New York. “Young folks, good evening. It’s truly a pleasure to welcome you all here today. Tonight, we have young singers from the YPC of New York City and Guangdong Experimental High School. We also have outstanding guest artists connected with the London International Music Foundation joining us; that’s already quite an impressive group. When I was preparing for this evening, I looked back at YCP’s history with China, and I was surprised to know that the connection goes back more than 20 years. When the two choruses met in 2005, they were competing at the World Choral Symposium. Over the years, the two teams have crossed paths at international events. Fortunately, musicians are often better than politicians at turning competition into friendship.”
A concert can last one evening, a friendship can last much longer. To all the teachers, principals, artists, and everyone who has helped make this exchange possible: thank you. And to our young musicians tonight: the stage belongs to you. Please enjoy the music and each other’s company. Thank you.”
The concert kicked off with the Guangdong Experimental Choir performing Elton John’s ‘Circle of Life’ from ‘The Lion King,’ making for an introduction that was both fun and uplifting as the sopranos soared over the warm undercurrent of the chanted African lyrics. This modern choice was nicely balanced by the traditional Yi folk song titled ‘Spring is Here,’ where the calmed, tutti chorus provided a more considering beauty to bolster the affectionate passages from the solo tenor, before the tambourines and drums pivoted things to a rising rhythm to accompany the brief, festive dance from the chorus.
Passing the baton to the Young People’s Chorus, the ensemble gave their own tribute to the cultural exchange with Kevin Puts’ ‘If I Were a Swan,’ where the modern lyrics were deftly set with interesting melodic and rhythmic figures for the parts, conducted with beauty and flair by Francisco J. Nunez. During this number, a large, folded crane made of sheets and paper was walked across the background in homage to the Chinese art of zhezhi. The chorus continued with Kirby Shaw’s arrangement of Paul Simon’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water,’ allowing for some nice energy as the singers navigated the phrases of camaraderie and connection with much charm as they exchanged between the higher and lower sections.
Photo Credit: Young People’s Chorus of NYC
The evening also included instrumental treats in the form of selections from two Lang Lang Young Scholar pianists, Ryan Lu, and Yidi Ding. First was Lu, whose rendition of Franz List’s ‘Transcendental Etude No. 10 in F Minor’ was as expressive and powerful as it was complex and precise. This was followed by Ding, performing Wang Jianzhong’s ‘One Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix.’ The opening trills gave way to a more traditional melody which elaborated beautifully over the rendition.
The program was closed by an endearing medley of Chen Si’ang’s ‘A Wish from Across the Sea,’ and ‘The Calling of the Song.’ Opening with a rising texture over the circling keys, this sprawling energy soon settled to a more lyrical energy to introduce soloist Yun Xie, who employed a wonderful affection through her highly-polished tones, and was herself joined by Laila Gilbert from the YPC for a brief yet touching duet. This finale saw conductors Mingjing Xie and Francisco Nunez trade sections in a show of both seamless artistry and cross-cultural collaboration.
Thursday’s concert was a fascinating showcase of Eastern and Western music, arranged and performed in a way that made the most of the young voices heard that night. The event will no doubt be remembered by the youth choruses and audience alike for years to come.
-Logan Martell