The Youth Orchestra of the China Conservatory of Music Tours Canada
In the golden month of October, as maple leaves blazed across the Canadian landscape, the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra of the China Conservatory of Music set foot on Canadian soil, embarking on a musical journey that built a bridge of cultural exchange through melody and harmony.
From the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls to the solemn Parliament Hill, and onward to the professional concert halls of Ottawa and Toronto, these young musicians infused every stop with passion and talent, allowing the melodies of the East to intertwine with the autumn breezes of the North.
Comprising 70 members, the China Youth Philharmonic Orchestra is the largest Chinese art delegation to visit Canada in recent years.
From the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls to the solemn Parliament Hill, and onward to the professional concert halls of Ottawa and Toronto, these young musicians infused every stop with passion and talent, allowing the melodies of the East to intertwine with the autumn breezes of the North.
Comprising 70 members, the China Youth Philharmonic Orchestra is the largest Chinese art delegation to visit Canada in recent years.
Performing at Landmarks: Chinese Melodies at Niagara Falls, Youthful Harmonies Echoing in a Land of Peace
At the world-renowned Niagara Falls, the surging waves blended seamlessly with the graceful melodies of the young musicians, creating a breathtaking tableau where nature’s magnificence met the beauty of human artistry. The performance drew visitors from around the world, who paused to listen, captivated by the harmony of sound and scenery.
In Canada’s political heart — Parliament Hill — the orchestra’s young performers gave a vibrant flash performance before the Centennial Flame, a symbol of unity and hope. As timeless melodies such as “Jasmine Flower” and “Hungarian Dance No. 2” floated in the air, passersby and tourists alike were drawn in, many lifting their cameras to capture this unforgettable moment when music bridged cultures under the open sky.
At the world-renowned Niagara Falls, the surging waves blended seamlessly with the graceful melodies of the young musicians, creating a breathtaking tableau where nature’s magnificence met the beauty of human artistry. The performance drew visitors from around the world, who paused to listen, captivated by the harmony of sound and scenery.
In Canada’s political heart — Parliament Hill — the orchestra’s young performers gave a vibrant flash performance before the Centennial Flame, a symbol of unity and hope. As timeless melodies such as “Jasmine Flower” and “Hungarian Dance No. 2” floated in the air, passersby and tourists alike were drawn in, many lifting their cameras to capture this unforgettable moment when music bridged cultures under the open sky.
Ottawa Gala — “Under the Same Moon” Moves an Autumn Night
On the evening of September 25, the premiere of the tour — the “Bank of China Night: Under the Same Moon”Symphony Concert — took place at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe in Ottawa.
Co-hosted by the Canada-China Cultural Development Association （CCCDA） and the Ottawa Chinese Music Association, the concert commemorated the 80th anniversaries of the Victory of the World War II and the founding of the United Nations, while also celebrating the 55th anniversary of Canada- China diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of their strategic partnership. It was hailed as “the first high-profile cultural exchange between China and Canada after the pandemic.”
Chinese Ambassador to Canada Wang Di attended the pre-concert reception and delivered remarks, noting that the joint performance of The Yellow River Cantata by young Chinese musicians and Canadian artists not only honored history and paid tribute to heroes, but also conveyed a shared commitment to peace and the future.
Guests including Canadian Senator Diane Gignac were in attendance, and Prime Minister Mark Carney sent a congratulatory letter, thanking the organizers for their efforts in fostering cross-cultural exchange. Nearly one thousand audience members filled the theatre for this special evening.
On the evening of September 25, the premiere of the tour — the “Bank of China Night: Under the Same Moon”Symphony Concert — took place at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe in Ottawa.
Co-hosted by the Canada-China Cultural Development Association （CCCDA） and the Ottawa Chinese Music Association, the concert commemorated the 80th anniversaries of the Victory of the World War II and the founding of the United Nations, while also celebrating the 55th anniversary of Canada- China diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of their strategic partnership. It was hailed as “the first high-profile cultural exchange between China and Canada after the pandemic.”
Chinese Ambassador to Canada Wang Di attended the pre-concert reception and delivered remarks, noting that the joint performance of The Yellow River Cantata by young Chinese musicians and Canadian artists not only honored history and paid tribute to heroes, but also conveyed a shared commitment to peace and the future.
Guests including Canadian Senator Diane Gignac were in attendance, and Prime Minister Mark Carney sent a congratulatory letter, thanking the organizers for their efforts in fostering cross-cultural exchange. Nearly one thousand audience members filled the theatre for this special evening.
Congratulatory letter from Prime Minister Mark Carney:
Under the baton of Professor Jin Ye, Director of the Conducting Department at the China Conservatory of Music, the concert opened with Shi Wanchun’s Festival Overture. Familiar folk tunes such as “A Pair of Flowers,” “Jasmine Flower,” and “Purple Bamboo Melody” from Impressions of Yanhuang brought a sense of nostalgia and warmth to Chinese audience members. Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 2 brought the evening to a lively peak, with rhythmic clapping and cheers echoing throughout the hall.
The performance of The Yellow River Cantata in the second half marked the emotional climax. The China Youth Philharmonic Orchestra joined forces with the Ottawa United Choir and Canadian vocalists. Notably, Canadian soprano Len Torrie, the first non-Chinese artist to perform “Lament of the Yellow River,” and tenor Emmanuel Solomon, who sang “Dialogue by the Riverbank” with Chinese baritone Gao Peng, received prolonged applause from the audience.
Toronto Chapter — Brilliant Notes at the Meridian Arts Centre
On September 26, the “Bank of China Night: Under the Same Moon” Symphony Concert moved to Toronto, co-presented by the Canada Straits Cultural Exchange Foundation.
At the George Weston Recital Hall of the Meridian Arts Centre, the young musicians once again delivered a stunning performance before an audience of over a thousand, bringing the orchestra’s Canadian tour to a triumphant close.
The performance of The Yellow River Cantata in the second half marked the emotional climax. The China Youth Philharmonic Orchestra joined forces with the Ottawa United Choir and Canadian vocalists. Notably, Canadian soprano Len Torrie, the first non-Chinese artist to perform “Lament of the Yellow River,” and tenor Emmanuel Solomon, who sang “Dialogue by the Riverbank” with Chinese baritone Gao Peng, received prolonged applause from the audience.
Toronto Chapter — Brilliant Notes at the Meridian Arts Centre
On September 26, the “Bank of China Night: Under the Same Moon” Symphony Concert moved to Toronto, co-presented by the Canada Straits Cultural Exchange Foundation.
At the George Weston Recital Hall of the Meridian Arts Centre, the young musicians once again delivered a stunning performance before an audience of over a thousand, bringing the orchestra’s Canadian tour to a triumphant close.
Performances for the Embassy and Consulate — Musical Blessings for the Motherland
Beyond the main concert tour, members of the orchestra were invited to perform at National Day receptions hosted by the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Canada, offering their most heartfelt blessings to the motherland through music.
Beyond the main concert tour, members of the orchestra were invited to perform at National Day receptions hosted by the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Canada, offering their most heartfelt blessings to the motherland through music.