Overture of Spring: Peiyang Chorus from Tianjin University

Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music presents guest performance by the Peiyang choir of Tianjin University.

China's Peiyang Chorus from Tianjin University will open its United States tour with a performance March 10 at 7 p.m. in Auer Hall. The chorus will also present a master class for students of the Jacobs School's International Vocal Ensemble, directed by Katherine Strand, at 4:50 p.m. the same day in Sweeney Hall. Both events are free and open to the public.

"The Jacobs School and Indiana University are looking forward to hosting this outstanding chorus," said Michael Schwartzkopf, chair of the Jacobs Choral Conducting Department. "It will be a unique experience for our students and community to hear their repertoire and learn more of their culture."

Peiyang Chorus is the official choral society of Tianjin University, the first modern university in China, established in 1895. The group, which used to be known as Peiyang Singing Group or later Tianjin University Chorus, adopted its present name in 1985. It has been awarded seven gold medals in international choral competitions and honored by the International Federation for Choral Music as a world-class chorus. The group consists of undergraduate and postgraduate students from different fields of study.

For the past two decades, Peiyang Chorus has offered performances in more than 20 countries and regions. It has performed nearly 1,000 Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern and Contemporary choral compositions, many of which were introduced to Chinese audiences for the first time. Apart from performing numerous operettas and symphonic choral compositions, Peiyang Chorus has also sung hundreds of Chinese folk songs.

The group's directors are Professor Baoping Ren and Yong Mao, while Xiaonan Kou serves as its liaison.