European GP for choral Singing 2018

European GP for choral Singing 2018

Beijing Philharmonic Choir

The choir was founded in 1983 by Professor Yang Hongnian, renowned conductor and music educator. In the past 30 years, nearly 5,000 children have been trained in the choir, with about 1,500 Chinese and foreign songs sung at over 1,000 performances worldwide. It has garnered 30 major prizes from internationally prestigious competitions, released 32 CD and DVD albums and 7 collections of children’s choral music.

In 1987, they performed in the 3rd International Children’s Choir Festival in Washington D.C., receiving Highest Appreciation Certificate, signed by the president Ronald Reagan. In 1990, Austrian president Rudolf Kirchschläger praised their performance with these words: “A concert of such brilliance should be heard by everyone in Vienna.” In February 2003, the choir staged a showcase performance at the annual meeting of American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and participated in concerts at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Riverside Church in NYC.

Beijing Olympic Games Bidding Committee picked the choir to perform in Monaco and Moscow, along the bidding process for hosting the 2000 and 2008 Olympics. On August 8th 2008, 66 singers sang The Olympic Hymn at the opening ceremony of the 29th Beijing Summer Olympics. In September 2016, they visited and performed in Israel and Palestine as the Peace Angel as start of “The Song of World Peace” tour.

The choir remains committed to its mission – Love & Devotion. In 30 years, they have regularly appeared in charitable events and free training workshops. They will continue to pursue its artistic goal, sharing love and the beauty of music with all.

Yang Li

Yang Li is Professor of Conducting at Central Conservatory of Music, Principal Conductor of Tianjin Symphony Orchestra, Resident Conductor of the Children and Young Women’s Chorus of National Symphony Orchestra, Director and Conductor of Beijing Philharmonic Choir. He graduated with an “Artist Diploma” from Stuttgart Conservatory of Music in Germany in 1997. In his time in Stuttgart, Yang was the first musician from China to win the Karajan Foundation scholarship.  Over past 10 years, Yang Li led the Children and Young Women’s Choir of the China National Symphony Orchestra to win the top awards in 18 different international choral competitions. He was a juror in many international choral competitions.