Tours: China

Dinner in Beijing with Chinese hosts

The Kent Camerata accepted an invitation from the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to perform chamber music concerts and present master classes in voice, viola, bassoon, and piano at China’s three leading conservatories of music in Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai. The Chinese enthusiasm for Western Art Music was evident in the Kent Camerata’s receptive, capacity audiences of 1000-1500. The ensemble gave their final concert in the historic Shanghai Concert Hall, long-time home of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.

Bows at Shanghai Concert Hall, with China tour soprano Vicki Moffet

Kent Camerata members with Wing Ho, Kent State University violin/viola Graduate who is now faculty at the Conservatory of Music, Beijing

Each master class was attended by large numbers of eager, well-prepared students and welcoming faculty. The Beijing Conservatory faculty includes violinist/violist Wing Ho, a Kent State University School of Music graduate who returned to his homeland to teach.

The recommendation of Dr. Ray Heisey of Kent State University’s Inter-Cultural Communications Studies had led Mr. Wang Xiutian, the General Director of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, to review the Kent Camerata recordings and publicity material. He recognized that the uniqueness of the ensemble as well as its international reputation were a perfect compliment to Chinese interest in Western music.

After Peking University concert with hosts and
faculty, Beijing

In addition to concert sponsorships, Mr. Wang hosted the Kent Camerata in a whirlwind of professional activities, visits to arts organizations with “Welcome Kent Camerata” banners, daily round table dinners, and sightseeing trips to many of the country’s cultural highlights. The busy schedule gave the ensemble members opportunities to share creative interests and ideas with professional counterparts, students, and patrons.

“We all remember your wonderful performances here. We also greatly cherish the opportunity to communicate and do cultural exchange with you.” (Xie Weigun, Director of Foreign Affairs and International Exchange Center, Shanghai)


Cathay Future Children’s Art Troupe performing for the Kent Camerata, Tianjin	Kent Camerata members join celebrations after performance of Cathay Future Children’s Art Troupe, Tianjin