Peking University Education Foundation (USA) (PKUEF(USA)) and Peking University Alumni Association of Greater New York (PKUAAGNY) jointly held Beyond Music: Peking University 120th Anniversary Gala Concert at Alice Tully Hall of Lincoln Center, New York on May 13, 2018. More than 1000 alumni and friends gathered from all around the world for this grand celebration of Peking University’s 120th birthday. Peking University Chinese Orchestra (PKUCO) , Columbia Pops Orchestra and one of the most renowned Chinese pianists, Chengzong Yin, together dedicated a splendid performance in folk music based on the profound Chinese traditional culture and the rhythm of this new era. Yongji Xu, the Counselor of Education Office at the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York, Yuning Li, Secretary-General of Peking University Education Foundation and He Huang, President of PKUAAGNY presented at the concert. Lin Zhao, President of PKUEF (USA) hosted the event.

Her honorable Elaine Chao and Dr. James Chao present at the concert as special guests.

Founded in 1922, PKUCO was led by Yuanpei Cai, then President of Peking University (PKU), as one of the top university orchestras in China. Carrying on the torch of U.S.-China cultural exchange as the young generation, PKUCO and Columbia Pops Orchestra delivered their unique rendition of the Chinese and Western masterpieces at this concert. Not only played traditional Chinese classics – Singing Fisherman Returning in the Twilight (渔舟唱晚) and Butterfly Lovers (梁祝), PKUCO collaborated with famous pianist Chengzong Yin as well as Columbia Pops in Queen of the Earth (后土), Yellow River Piano Concerto (黄河), Towards a Bright Future (光明行) and A Beautiful Night (良宵) and together brought a cross-cultural musical feast to the audience. Fujian Wang, Professor at Central Conservatory of Music, is the conductor of this concert. Jie Yu from PKU is the artistic director and Emma Ge Yu from PKUAAGNY is the head director.

Peking University New York Alumni Chorus sings “Yanyuan Love”.

PKUCO plays ”Towards a Bright Future”.

Ensemble of “Good News from Beijing” by PKUCO and Columbia Pops.

Chengzong Yin and PKUCO collaborate in “Yellow River Piano Concerto”.

All tickets proceeds for this concert will be donated to PKUEF(USA) to set up the “Peking University 120th Anniversary Fund – Yanyuan Soar Plan” supporting PKU students who come from financially difficult family with exchange opportunities to the U.S. and provide Chinese-American teenagers with study tour opportunities back to China, to enhance the friendship and understanding among American and Chinese youth, and to further promote the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The ensemble of “Good News from Beijing” by American and Chinese youth brings down the curtain of the concert.