As the year 2020 came to a close, students of Nankai University sang and shared their hope for the future. On the afternoon of December 27^th, Nankai University 2021 New Year’s Concert was given by the Nankai University Student Choir at the Music Hall, Tianjin Grand Theatre.

Throughout the concert, the hall witnessed the audience’s great enthusiasm. Together with music fans from all over the country, Nankai University leaders, teachers, students, and alumni all enjoyed themselves very much.

The choir kicked off this concert with their classic work “Affection for Peking Opera in the Flourishing Age”. Within twelve minutes, they displayed the “four skills and five gestures” of Peking Opera including singing, recitation, acting, and acrobatic fighting.

Following the Chinese opera piece was a great musical rendition of “Ah, fors’ è Luiche I’anima” from the western opera “La Traviata” and rearrangements of “Think of Me” and “Phantom of the Opera” from the musical “The Phantom of the Opera”.

Then two small groups brought the choral pieces “From Afar”, “Jiu Er” and “El Vito”. Their mellifluous melodies and lively performances managed to win admiration from all the audience. “I Have Had Singing”, “Indodana” and “El Barberco De Sevilla” also helped them to appreciate the world’s cultural diversity through the distinctive musical styles of different countries.

“Yimeng Folk Song” and “Xue Yu Xiang Wang” also displayed the choir’s great singing skills. “GuYu Terrace”, one of their new creations, was inspired by the folk songs of Yunnan Province’s Hani ethnic group. The choir’s ethereal singing celebrated diligent working people, transporting the whole audience back to the Honghe terraces.

The concert continued with the performance of Jungle Resound, an Acappella Vocal Band established by the graduates of the student choir. Their original work “Song for Nankai” recalls the glory of Nankai University over the past century; “Fight for Love” tells everyone that despite the current obstacles, we will stand together and fight against the epidemic.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the 70th anniversary of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, the chorus also performed another three songs: “Ode to Heroes”, “March of the Chinese People's Volunteers Army” and “Hope You Get Well Soon”. The force and determination in their singing echoed the patriotism of both Nankai University students and the audience there.

At the invitation of the audience’s enthusiastic applause, the chorus performed “Ba Jun Zan” as an encore. Eight tenors took turns to sing and show their talents.

Finally, the choir expressed their love and hope for Nankai University with the song “Spring Ballet”. Under the conducting of Professor Meng Chaomei, performers and the audience sang “My Motherland” and the “Anthem of Nankai University” together, marking the success of this 2021 New Year Concert.

Established in 1995, Nankai University Student Choir has been continually making contributions to the university for 25 years.

(Reported by Shiyang Meng, Translated by Yating Jin, Edited by STEFAN SARAH DANIELLE and JianjingYun)