Conductor Yue Cheng takes a bow during the debut performance of the DKU Philharmonic Orchestra and the NYU Shanghai Chamber Orchestra
By Reika Shimomura ’23
Contributing writer
The Duke Kunshan University Philharmonic Orchestra made its much-anticipated debut on Nov. 10 in a collaborative performance with the NYU Shanghai Chamber Orchestra.
Yue Cheng, a visiting professor and an internationally recognized musician, conducted the orchestra in a concert that also included performances by members of the NYU Shanghai Show Choir and the DKU Vocals choir.
The orchestral debut was the result of weeks of practice. Every Monday night you will see freshmen, sophomores and faculty members carrying their instruments in black cases toward the university’s brand-new Innovation Building, all ready for our weekly rehearsal.
The DKU Vocals group takes to the stage
I play the electronic keyboard, which is used for both piano and percussions in the orchestra. I’ve been playing the piano for more than 10 years, and I discovered my passion for playing as part of a group in middle school. I was also in the pit orchestra for high school plays.
The DKU Philharmonic Orchestra was formed this academic year and is led by Cheng. Its musicians come from countries around the world including the United States, China, Costa Rica and the Philippines, as well as from various backgrounds. Some are new to classical music, while for others this is their first time playing in a group.
But one thing unifies us all: Our love of music.
The NYU Shanghai Show Choir puts on a high-energy performance
The DKU and NYU Shanghai orchestras met for the first time just hours before the debut show, all of us in our black attire for the stage. We swapped excited greetings before we began rehearsing. The variety of instruments instantly created an emotionally rich sound.
We needed to make only slight changes during rehearsals, even though we were tackling pieces with difficult rhythms. Our performance included music by Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Jonathan Larson and Henri Mancini.
Before the concert, there were some nerves backstage. But the musicians walked on with confidence and, after being welcomed by the friendly face of our conductor, the harmonies we played were downright powerful. The audience was electrified.
Letao Ouyang, a freshman who played a clarinet solo of ‘Fantaisie’ from the opera ‘Der Freischutz,’ praised professor Cheng for using ‘his own passion for music to motivate others to perform well. He has made a great contribution to our orchestra. Every piece we played, he adapted, which requires a lot of time and talent.’
The DKU Philharmonic Orchestra’s next performance will be at NYU Shanghai. We can’t wait.
Reika Shimomura from Japan is a member of the undergraduate Class of 2023 and a member of the DKU Philharmonic Orchestra.
