To welcome the year of the monkey, the Miami University Department of Music, Confucius Institute and the Chinese American Cultural Association joined forces, hosting an exciting concert featuring classical music, traditional Chinese music, popular singers and dancing, interspersed with raffling off exciting prizes.

The concert began with the Spring Festival Overture, performed by the Miami University Symphony Orchestra in their centennial year, and the Confucius Institute Chinese Classic Musical Ensemble, conducted by Ricardo Averbach. An eager, standing room only, sold-out crowd welcomed a diverse array of performers, including solos from soprano Mengyun Chen and tenor Zhi Zhu as well as a feature with the Dayton Children Violin Ensemble.

 “The concert combined the Chinese and American cultures perfectly," one student said. "The orchestra performance from MUSO or CI Chinese Classic Musical Ensemble provide us with a great night. I hope MU can have more such fantastic shows.”

Another noted the Chinese traditional music.

“I really liked the Chinese traditional music, and I also appreciated CI chamber music members playing Pipa, Erhu and Guzheng with orchestra," the student said. "It was exciting when lion appeared and danced on stage.”

Following a dynamic first half of the concert filled with classical Western and Chinese music, the second half of the concert involved student performances from the Confucius Institute Lion Dance Club, the Miami University DyzzeeStepperz Dance Crew and the Ohio State University DIVA Club. Each student group brought youthful energy and enthusiasm to the ancient tradition of welcoming the New Year.

To prepare for this event, all students practiced diligently with the assistance of experts in their respective fields. Many thanks go to the Miami University Symphony Orchestra and CIMU for their boundless enthusiasm, time and energy.

Student’s comments reflected the hard work of CIMU.

“The concert combined the Chinese and American cultures perfectly," one student said. "I like the concert most! It’s so cool that Chinese instrument can play with the American orchestra!"

 “It's the greatest show I have ever seen in Miami University," one audience member said at the end of the night. "I feel honored to be a Miami student on campus, to witness how American and Chinese cultural can be mixed so well, to create the most beautiful and marvelous melody I have ever heard. I wish I could put this night on repeat.”

CI would like to thank the Miami University Department of Music and the Chinese American Cultural Association for their help in putting on such a grand event in addition to performers and audience members for their energy and participation.