Since the Montgomery Chinese Branch just passed its 23rd anniversary this year, it seemed most appropriate that a musical celebration should mark this milestone. Created on April 12, 1992, the Branch has sponsored many musical concerts throughout the years. This year on April 25, the first-of-a-kind Music Cultural Exchange Concert invited choirs in the area to gather in the Kentlands Chapel to share their musical talents and love of music. Six choirs accepted the invitation: The Mormon Choir of Washington DC, Huaxia Choir, Women's Choir, DC Men's Choir, Ya-Yin Chorus, and the Montgomery Chinese Branch Choir. Each choir was invited to perform two songs, and a combined choir composed of all six choirs were to sing two additional songs for the finale.
Entering the Kentlands Chapel on the afternoon of the concert, one would definitely notice the heavenly music emanating from different rooms and the hustle-bustle of people scurrying around like busy bees preparing for the concert. Branch volunteers set up 15 round dinner tables, each having ten chairs per table. To encourage folks to meet singers from other choirs, each seat labeled was with the name of a choir, such that there was at least one choir member represented at each table. While branch members were busy setting up dinner tables and food, performers were busy practicing songs and getting adjusted to the chapel. From 4:30pm to 5:30pm, each choir was allotted ten minutes to rehearse their songs in the chapel. In addition, they were also given thirty minutes in one of three rooms (Relief Society, Primary, or Young Women's room) to practice. Finally, at 5:30pm, all singers congregated in the chapel to rehearse the combined songs. After this final rehearsal, at 6:15pm, the curtains were opened, revealing the cultural hall with beautifully decorated dining tables like a formal ballroom and receiving Oo's and Aw's. Each performer found a seat with their choir name, took their plate with a pie and a dinner roll, and lined up to get salad. Everyone had a chance to mingle with members of other choirs and to meet new people.
At 7pm, Thomas Jeng, the emcee for the evening, welcomed everyone to the concert. While each choir made its way to the stand, Brother Jeng introduced each choir in English and in Chinese. The first choir, Montgomery Chinese Branch Choir, under the direction Sister Adele Connell, began the concert by singing "救主供我牧場" ("The Lord My Pasture Will Prepare") and "Come Again" ("再來"). They were followed by the DC Men's Choir, conducted by Zhulin Zhang. They dazzled the audience with their strong singing voices by singing "天邊" ("Sky") and "天路" ("Heavenly Road"). Next, the Yayin Chorus, led by Chiping Yan, with their unique jazzy swaying and snappy style sang "春風吻上我的臉" ("Spring Wind Kissed My Face") and "靜心等" ("Meditation"). With conductor Shilun Chen, the Huaxia Chorus then sang Chinese traditional songs, "龍的傳人" ("Descendants of the Dragon") and "杜鵑花" ("Azaleas"). Under the direction of Ling Xia, the DC Women's Chorus sang beautifully the songs, "送別" ("Farewell") and "乘著歌聲的翅膀" ("On the Wings of Song"). The last choir was the Mormon Choir of Washington DC led by David Hardin. They sang a popular Chinese song, "茉莉花" ("Jasmine"), and the traditional American song, "Over the Rainbow" ("在彩虹上"). After all of the choirs sang, the combined choir (all six choirs) shared the stage to sing "楓橋夜泊" ("Midnight Bells") conducted by Li-Fang Tsai and "You Raise Me Up" ("你提升了我") conducted by David Hardin.
Afterwards, Benjamin Tsai thanked each choir, the branch presidency, and the organizer, Li-Fang Tsai. Then he shared some thoughts about the success and future of this exchange concert. President Charles Huang offered the closing prayer. Everyone then enjoyed refreshments in the cultural hall.
Please enjoy the photos in the slideshow below. (Credits for the photos go to Dan Wang, Hua He, Nan Ni, Da Zhao, and Ben Jones.) Audio files for each of the songs are available at Dropbox upon request. (If you are interested in accessing the audio files, send email request to tsai2060@gmail.com. Credit for the audio files goes to Darcy Reese.)
For a first time concert, there were many small details which were overlooked or were not implemented efficiently. But in general, the overwhelming feeling was the concert was a huge success in gathering together different choirs for this musical treat. Everyone sang with all their heart and enjoyed each other's musical talents. We shared different styles of music and even different languages. We met new friends and relished the time to get to know each other. And for these reasons, the concert was immensely successful. We hope that in the future, we can hold another exchange concert for even more people to enjoy.
Thanks to all who participated for contributing to the successful fun concert!
