New York, NY – On June 22 2022, the long-awaited concert for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York (CMENY) was successfully held at Zankel Hall of Carnegie Hall in New York. CMENY showed its charm to New York City once again at the sold-out event.
New York Congresswoman Meng Zhaowen and New York Mayor Eric Adams sent special congratulatory letters for this rare occurrence. Sixty-years is an extraordinary milestone for CMENY. Ambassador Huang Ping of the Chinese Consulate General in New York and his wife, the president of the Beijing Association, the representatives of the Kunqu Society and the Chinese American Arts Council, the General Manager the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and many other honorable guests attended the concert. The audience was captivated by the richness and diversity of the musical styles that were presented in this concert, which covered traditional as well as modern compositions. The spectacular performance at the concert was of the highest standard among classical Chinese music concerts in New York over the years. The selections of the 6.18 Program included the highly challenging orchestra music that CMENY executed with grace and brilliance. It demonstrated CMENY as a world class Chinese classical music orchestra. The celebration was not only for CMENY’s 60th anniversary, but also for the monumental breakthrough in artistic representation and performing quality.
As a non-profit organization founded in 1961, CMENY also received a Proclamation from the New York City Council for 60 years of outstanding contributions to music and cross-cultural education.
(Photo: The New York City Council presented a proclamation certificate)
The concert was conducted by Jindong Cai, a well-respected Chinese conductor who is currently the Director of the US-China Music Institute at Bard College. Yazhi Guo, a specially invited suona virtuoso performed the renowned “Hundred Birds Greeting the Phoenix” with his dazzling and expressive suona techniques. Ensemble soloists showcased their spectacular performing talent and received audiences’ applause throughout the concert.
This concert was the first public indoor concert for CMENY, returning to the New York stage after a two-years of virtual on-line performances due to the pandemic. CMENY set aside nearly 90 VIP tickets and invited front-line medical heroes to enjoy their diverse style of music and to experience the Carnegie Hall, a world class concert hall.
Chinese traditional music is diverse with a long history. It includes musical elements not only from China, but also regions outside of China. The capital of China in Han, Tang and Sung Dynasties, from 200 BC till the 12th Centuries, was where many musicians brought their instruments and music, analogous to the cultural “pull” of New York City today. As a result, so-called traditional “Chinese” music is a preserved form of “ancient world music”. One of the key missions of the CMENY is to bring this thousand-year-old musical culture back to the stage of the contemporary world, so that ancient music can be heard and appreciated by audiences in the greater New York area, echoing the “ancient world music” that were heard by many in a different time from a different past. Through invigorating ancient musical genres and the creative reanimation of diverse musical heritages, CMENY aspires to rejuvenate the possibilities of a new cultural era by connecting to the historical horizon.
From a handful of Chinese classical music lovers performing for small community groups sixty years ago, CMENY has evolved into a renowned full-scale orchestra. About two third of the CMENY members are professional musicians graduated from music conservatories and a third are diligent amateurs with other professional pursuits but passionate about music. They are teachers, office workers, limo drivers, day-care providers, restaurant workers, medical professionals, engineers, and investment bankers. Some are native to the U.S. while others come from different parts of China as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Canada.
The musicians are the reason CMENY started and thrived over 60 years.
CMENY has gone through challenges and overcame many difficulties. CMENY is a local orchestra that needs continuous support from local audiences. Their vision is to become a world class orchestra with its home in New York City, presenting the enchanting “ancient world music” to New York and global audiences.
The concert received strong support from the National Endowment of the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affair, the Empire Adult Day Care Center, Haitou Global, and many private music supporters.
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Company Name: The Chinese Music Ensemble of New York
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Address:P.O Box 1062, 128 East Broadway
City: New York
State: NY
Country: United States
Website: http://www.chinesemusicensemble.org/