The “Yu” Symphony in the Forest Youth Concert was held on May 10, 2025, at the lakeside of Youth Park. The event featured a performance from a student symphony orchestra comprised of members from 23 different schools across the university. The participants balanced their academic responsibilities with extensive rehearsal time dedicated to preparing for the concert. Attendees experienced an engaging audio-visual performance characterized by the musicians’ passion and professionalism.
Concert Highlights
The concert opened with Carl Maria von Weber’s “Der Freischütz Overture,” which set an energetic tone for the event. This was succeeded by James Horner’s “The Ludlows” from the film *Legends of the Fall*, which conveyed a poignant narrative through its melodic structure. Selections from the classic Chinese suite “The Red Detachment of Women,” including pieces such as “Military and Civilian Gala,” “Wanquan River,” and “Changqing’s Sacrifice,” showcased distinctive elements of Chinese national music.
In the second movement, Guo Wei, a French horn instructor from the School of Arts, performed the first movement of “Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat Major.” The concert also included popular pieces like “Princess Leia’s Theme,” appealing to science fiction fans. European symphonic classics, such as the first movement of “Symphony No. 1 in C Major” and the “Waltz” from *Swan Lake*, contributed additional depth to the repertoire. The concert concluded with performances of “Genshin Impact: Liyue Theme,” which incorporated Chinese cultural motifs, as well as the stirring song “My Motherland and I.”
Audience Reception
Audience feedback indicated a positive reception, with many attendees reflecting on the event as a memorable experience, particularly as graduation approached. Observations were made regarding the increasing quality of events organized by the university’s art education center, with hopes expressed for similar future initiatives.
Commitment to Arts Education
The concert also highlighted the active engagement in arts education at the university. In April, the Art Education Center convened its second meeting of the Arts Education Advisory Committee, reaffirming its commitment to integrating high art into campus life and promoting artistic appreciation within the university community.
Written and Edited by: Chang Wen, Peng Yumeng
