* The Whiffenpoofs is the world's most renowned and historic collegiate a cappella group, spearheading and innovating a cappella music since 1909. The group has performed across the United States and around the world, captivating audiences with a diverse repertoire of a cappella music.
* Running from March 19 to April 3, the tour brings the Whiffenpoofs to universities and choirs across Chongqing, Chengdu, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Tianjin and Beijing, using songs as a bridge to foster people-to-people ties between China and the United States.
* "The friendship between nations rests on the friendship between their people. Strengthening youth dialogue is a vivid embodiment of people-to-people cultural exchange between China and the United States."
GUIYANG/CHONGQING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Set within the natural amphitheater of the Tianshengqiao Bridge -- a centuries-old limestone arch in southwest China's Guizhou Province -- the resonant harmonies of traditional Dong ethnic songs intertwined with the crisp melodies of an American a cappella group, their unamplified voices blending beneath the stone.
The scene unfolded during a visit by the Whiffenpoofs a cappella choir of Yale University to Liping County in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture of Guizhou.
The Whiffenpoofs is the world's most renowned and historic collegiate a cappella group, spearheading and innovating a cappella music since 1909. The group has performed across the United States and around the world, captivating audiences with a diverse repertoire of a cappella music.
The performance on March 24 was part of a cultural exchange tour organized by the Beijing Enlai Foundation. Running from March 19 to April 3, the tour brings the Whiffenpoofs to universities and choirs across Chongqing, Chengdu, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Tianjin and Beijing, using songs as a bridge to foster people-to-people ties between China and the United States.
VOICES BRIDGE CULTURES
The musical evening opened with "Eternal Love for the World," a Dong Grand Song performed by a local Dong chorus. The Whiffenpoofs then took the stage, delivering renditions of traditional Czech folk songs that drew cheers from the audience.
Collaborative performances by the American choir and Guizhou village song troupes followed, featuring songs such as "I'll Wait for You in Guizhou," "Jasmine Flower," and "Let the World Be Filled with Love," bringing the crowd to its feet in applause.
The Whiffenpoofs arrived at Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping on March 23. The members of the choir have toured the rural community, immersed themselves in local ethnic culture, and performed alongside several Dong Grand Song troupes and other local musical groups.
Recognized for its conductorless, instrument-free polyphonic harmonies, the Dong Grand Song was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Its signature "low chorus and solo high" vocal structure, along with nature-inspired harmonies, creates a striking parallel with the pure vocal tradition of the century-old a cappella form.
"I may not understand the words, but it's beautiful and heavenly music," said Gu Biao, a 73-year-old local Miao villager who performed in the musical evening.
"It was the most incredible event," said Ben Jimenez, a 21-year-old member of the Whiffenpoofs from California. "The Whiffenpoofs has over 200 performances every year. So we have a lot of practice just by ourselves, but it's extra special when we get to sing with different choirs and performance groups. I learned a lot about honoring history through singing, as well as honoring culture and community. What was so incredible is that the performances we saw today were rooted in incredible history and culture."
Lucas Oland, 22, a member of the Whiffenpoofs visiting China for the first time, discovered a sense of cross-cultural musical resonance while learning to play the Dong ethnic pipa at a drum tower in the Dong village.
"It's very cool that people from around the world in different cultures are so united by the music and these instruments that function the exact same way, no matter where you are. It's really beautiful," Oland said.
"Through music, young Americans can experience China's long history and deep cultural roots," said Zhang Yixiao, the China tour manager. "Instead of only seeing modern, high-tech cities, they are able to explore minority villages and cultures with centuries of tradition. Having them experience a real, multifaceted China is especially meaningful."
FRIENDSHIP THROUGH CULTURAL EXCHANGE
Before they visited Guizhou, the choir members visited southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, winding through its iconic landmarks and ancient alleyways to soak up the energy of the mountain metropolis and its distinctive culture.
Chongqing's three-dimensional urban landscape has gained popularity on overseas social media in recent years. The choir members wanted to see for themselves the unique scenes where the city's transportation and daily life intertwine.
"The architecture is incredible. I didn't quite understand what people meant when I heard that it was an 8D city, but now I completely understand. It's been wonderful walking around today and getting to see everything," said Quincy Rosenzweig, the American choir group's associate financial director. "So I'd say I'm most impressed probably with just how beautiful the city is and how lovely everyone has been to us so far."
In Chongqing, the choir performed on a cruise ship on the Yangtze River and visited millennium-old cliff carvings, cloth workshops and ancient pottery studios. At each stop, they had the chance to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage.
At Zhaoxing Dong Village in Guizhou, the American choir tried their hand at batik and rice pounding, explored the region's farming and musical traditions, and learned about the timber-frame architecture of drum towers and covered bridges. They also toured karst caves and expansive tea terraces.
For Oland, the Guizhou journey went beyond music and offered a genuine immersion into the local culture.
"It really puts into perspective for me, who hasn't been outside of America very much before, to see how much culture and music and excitement are outside of it," Oland said. "The art is a really wonderful and perfect way to bond these two cultures and show them what's important to each other."
Local residents presented each choir member with a batik costume. "We are very lucky to have these as gifts," said Elijah Lee, also a choir member. "They're handmade, very beautiful and unique, and kind of symbols of the local area. So we will definitely cherish them forever."
Xie Zongxu, a Miao scholar, serves as the local guide for the event. "The friendship between nations rests on the friendship between their people. Strengthening youth dialogue is a vivid embodiment of people-to-people cultural exchange between China and the United States," said Xie. ■
(Video reporters: Liu Qinbing, Yang Yanbin, Cui Xiaoqiang, Zhou Xuanni, and Li Jingya; Video editors: Li Qin, Wang Han, and Li Ziwei)
