On the evening of March 5, within Siqun Hall of the ECNU Putuo Campus, melodious singing like ethereal musical elves gracefully swept through every inch of space. A choral gala themed “United Voices, Shared Harmonies” was splendidly staged here, presenting a unique audio-visual delight for the audience. The ECNU VIVA Chorus collaborated with NYU Shanghai’s A Cappella and Octave Fusion Chorus to deliver this extraordinary musical feast.
President Qian Xuhong and Vice President Wu Jian of ECNU, Josh Taylor, Vice President of Global Outreach & Mobility of New York University, Tong Shijun, Chancellor of NYU Shanghai, Yu Lizhong, Chancellor Emeritus of NYU Shanghai, Former President of ECNU, along with representatives of teachers and students from both universities, attended the event. The event was presided over by Yang Jiayi, an undergraduate student from the Class of 2023 majoring in Broadcasting and Hosting Arts at the School of Communication, ECNU.
The evening’s performance commenced with the ECNU VIVA Chorus, presenting Dawn View from a Boat, a choral piece adapted from a poem by Meng Haoran, a poet in the Tang Dynasty. Through the ingenious arrangement of piano and harmony, the piece vividly unveiled the captivating charm of Eastern aesthetics to the audience. Subsequently, the VIVA Chorus ignited the atmosphere with a folk song, Zhuang Ge, brimming with ethnic charm.
NYU Shanghai’s A Cappella and Octave Fusion Chorus captivated the entire audience with the charm of pure cappella. From Michael Jackson’s classic song Man in the Mirror to Disney’s Moana theme song You’re Welcome, as well as multiple famous songs such as American Idol Bumper Medley and Don’t Stop Me Now, they precisely controlled the multiple harmonic layers and rhythms without accompaniment, demonstrating extraordinary singing abilities that amazed the live audience.
Particularly worth mentioning is that the Choruses from both universities sang jointly for the first time in songs like Some Fun, Defying/Reflection, and Circle of Life/He Lives in You. Over 100 chorus members from more than 10 countries, including China and the United States, danced freely on stage along with the rhythm. Every look in their eyes was filled with a passionate love for music. The climax came with the finale performance, Uptown Funk, which completely ignited the entire venue. The Chorus members accurately simulated the sound of an electric guitar slide and synthesizer effects with their voices, deconstructing and boldly rearranging the classic melody. The audience waved their glow sticks and swayed to the rhythm together. The magnificent harmonies marked a stunning and perfect ending to the entire performance.
This performance was not only a showcase of student talent but also greatly benefited from the deep involvement of international artists. Deke Sharon, known as the Father of Contemporary A Cappella, directed the performance on the site. Peter Huang, the founder and leader of the Singapore vocal band MICappella, provided vocal percussion accompaniment, which made the audience exclaim that it was “as if there was a built-in band”.
Katherine Girvin, head of the NYU Shanghai A Cappella Chorus, said, “It took us only a month from practicing songs to joint rehearsal. Music is the language of the world. Witnessing students break through barriers, share their passion, and build friendships through cooperation is precisely the essence of arts education. Thanks to ECNU and NYU Shanghai for making tonight so unforgettable.”
Tammy Huang, a Business and Finance major from the Class of 2021 at NYU Shanghai, shared her exhilarating experience, “It’s like a dream to perform on stage with world-renowned Deke Sharon! Peter Huang’s vocal percussion is like injecting a heartbeat into the music, sparking new ideas in every rehearsal!” What moved Tammy even more was the tacit understanding and warmth between students from both universities. “The students from ECNU are enthusiastic and professional. I made good friends with several girls in my section, and I’m happy to share singing techniques with them.”
Tania Hartanto, an Indonesian student majoring in Interactive Media Art at NYU Shanghai, is in her final semester and feels extremely honored to have participated in this performance as part of her final chapter at the university. “It was fantastic to sing together with students from ECNU. It’s indescribable when voices from different nationalities resonate here, not to mention having musicians like Deke and Peter to guide us,” she said.
Ye Zhenzhen, a 2024 graduate student majoring in Music Education from the Department of Art Education at ECNU, recalled her first joint rehearsal, “The vitality emanating from Katherine and students from NYU Shanghai instantly infected me, allowing me to slowly relax and sing more confidently and freely. Deke’s guidance also gave me a new understanding of music performance. On stage, the performer’s state is closely connected with the audience. Only by fully immersing oneself in the music and firmly believing in the emotions conveyed by the music, can one truly touch every listener. Deke’s sincerity towards music deeply inspires me, making me more determined to delve deeper into this path and fully enjoy the process.” Ye said that tonight’s performance was like a grand party for music lovers. “On stage, we let go of all concerns about singing techniques and wholeheartedly showed the audience the music we love and the deep friendships forged through music.”
This chorus night was not only a musical feast but also an important opportunity for cultural exchange between the two universities. As the event’s theme: “United Voices, Shared Harmonies” profoundly suggests, the convergence of diverse voices in harmonious resonance is nurturing boundless possibilities for the future.
On March 4th, Deke Sharon and Peter Huang were guests at the “Xingtan Gaoyi” high-level cultural lecture at ECNU, bringing a wonderful artistic lecture to teachers and students. The atmosphere at the event was lively, with ECNU students actively engaging in in-depth exchanges with the two artists. Everyone eagerly asked questions about their confusion in music learning and creation, as well as their curiosity about A Cappella music. Deke Sharon patiently listened to each question and, with his profound professional knowledge and extensive experience, provided professional and inspiring answers. The scene was filled with applause and laughter. This lecture has not only broadened the musical horizons of teachers and students but also ignited their passion for exploring the art of A Cappella music, injecting new vitality into campus cultural life.
Author: Wicky Xu
Copy editor: Philip Nash
Editor: Xu Xincheng
