hinese orchestra and philharmonic orchestra from Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) co-hosted a spring orchestra concert by SISU’s lake on April 9, giving students access to artistic experience.

SISU String Ensemble and SISU Chinese Orchestra performed an outdoor concert by Mirror Lake as the sun went down, attracting over 200 viewers.

40 students performed eight pieces, including western classics like "City of Stars" and "Tequila", and Chinese music such as "Liangzhu" and "Dayu", some of which were performed by only one orchestra. The Chinese classical piece "Liangxiao", originally performed by the erhu, a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument, was played by the two orchestras as the finale.

"It is really romantic to hold a show by the lake on the campus, especially in spring. The pieces are all very beautiful," said Zhao Shu, one of the audiences.

"It is the first time that the two orchestras have combined their sounds. We have prepared for this concert for a long time," said Zhao Yifan, the head of SISU String Ensemble.

Shi Chuhan, who participated in the show as the former head of SISU Chinese Orchestra, has been playing the pipa, a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument, for 14 years. She said that the performance given by the two orchestras provided a richer listening experience.

SISU has placed great importance on inclusive campus culture. In 2006 and 2007, the Chinese orchestra and philharmonic orchestra were established separately. The orchestras belong to the SISU Centre for the Arts, which also includes a chorus, a dance troupe and a drama troupe. Over the past decade, these troupes have performed in many foreign countries like Morocco, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Argentina, and Chile.

The serial courses, Arts Comprehension, offered by SISU Centre for the Arts, have become compulsory courses since 2021, providing all students opportunities for aesthetic engagement.

Li Ran, a lecturer of SISU Centre for the Arts and member of the Aesthetic Education Committee for China Association of Higher Education, said that the center hopes to display the beauty of various countries and cultures and show Chinese culture to the world.

"Both language and music can communicate across nations and cultures. We hope that we offered audiences a nice spring night with our music," said Zhao Chunshui, a scholar of SISU Centre for the Arts.