The Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra undergoes a “big shake-up” every September. In the words of Tianjin Juilliard School CEO and Artistic Director He Wei, this is an “orchestra that never grows up.” . However, it is just such a student band that is full of youthful power and is going to tour the country.
On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Tianjin Juilliard School, the Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra launched its first tour: the prologue will be played at the Tianjin Juilliard Hall on November 19, and it will perform at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing on November 20. , unveiled at the Hong Kong City Hall on November 24.
"In the past few years, the orchestra has established a good brand and reputation. Going abroad can not only showcase their artistic talents, but also present a successful teaching case to peers." He Wei said.
Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra
Lin Jingji
first tour, full of sincerity
The average age of the Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra is about 25 years old. For their first tour, the band prepared a set of tracks that were both musically rich and technically challenging, full of sincerity.
The concert opens with "Gift" by Chinese composer Zhou Tian; later, violist Li Hananna and cellist He Sihao will participate in Bruch's "Romance in F Major" and Tchaikovsky's "Romance in F Major" respectively. rococo theme "Variations", showing the artistic style of the resident teacher; the second half includes Paul Duca's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", Khachaturian's "Spartacus" Adagio, Korsakov's "Spanish Caprice", with different styles It also contains many solo excerpts, providing students with space to express themselves.
"This repertoire is full of fun and easy for the audience to listen to." Resident conductor Lin Jingji specifically mentioned that "Spanish Caprice" has many solos, including the orchestra leader, harp, flute, clarinet, French horn, trumpet, " The Sorcerer's Apprentice also features bassoon and percussion solo excerpts. "These two pieces bring great challenges to the students and provide them with opportunities to show their talents. I hope the audience can see their highlight moments."
Teachers and students are on the same stage, Tianjin Zhu A great feature of the Leah Orchestra, and this time was no exception. In September this year, Hannah Li officially joined Tianjin Juilliard as a resident teacher. She will show off her talents when performing Bruch's "Romance in F major".
Li Hananna believes that teachers and students perform on the same stage and side by side, which can bring true teaching by words and deeds: students will imitate teachers to make better sounds and achieve higher quality; she has also benefited a lot from performing with students and gained positive directional energy.
"The level of this orchestra is almost the same as that of a professional orchestra." Li Hananna observed that in addition to attending classes, teachers will also be deeply involved in students' rehearsals and do their best to provide guidance. This is also the unique feature of Tianjin Juilliard's teaching. Before coming to Tianjin, she worked in other schools for more than ten years, usually attending student concerts and not participating in their rehearsals.
After completing her undergraduate studies in the United States, Tayshia Peterson came to China to study. The 23-year-old is studying oboe at the Tianjin Juilliard Orchestral Performance Major.
Last year, she performed Richard Strauss's "Serenade in E flat major" with her wind teacher on the same stage, and she still has fresh memories. "I could observe their performance up close and gain first-hand performance experience. This It’s different from listening to theoretical knowledge in class.”
During this tour, she served as the principal oboe in the orchestra. This is also her first time to participate in an orchestra tour. Beijing and Hong Kong, two unique cities in the north and one in the south, make her excited and curious. “Going to different cities and performing in different concert halls is a great experience for me. A brand-new experience, Tianjin Juilliard has created many unprecedented opportunities for us.”
Hannah Li (first from the right) participated in the teacher-student collaborative performance
html. 15
Tayshia Peterson (middle) participated in a teacher-student collaborative performance
and gained a reputation and continued blood transfusions
In September 2020, Tianjin Juilliard School launched the teaching of graduate courses, and subsequently created the Tianjin Juilliard School composed of graduate students from the school The Juilliard Orchestra presents approximately ten concerts each season.
In the past few seasons, the orchestra has continued to grow. The resident teachers not only preside over voice exercises and guide band rehearsals, but also perform side by side with the students. At the same time, the orchestra invites guest artists to collaborate. Conductor Yu Long, composer Guo Wenjing, cellist Wang Jian, etc. have all been guests.
What is the introduction? The band is composed of two graduate students in the college. Every September, there will be a "big blood change". The membership renewal rate is as high as 50%. It will be completely renewed in two years. "We will be in a very short time." Within a period of time, students from different backgrounds and levels can be brought together to the same professional level. "
"New people join every year, which means we have to face a new orchestra every year." This is what Lin Jingji feels. Interesting place. He said that the orchestra rehearsed several times a week, including vocal rehearsals and band rehearsals, and everyone quickly established a tacit understanding. “The students are willing to accept challenges and are willing to go all out to achieve the best performance level. They There is a unique energy in them. "Not all bands like challenges, but our band has this kind of energy. Students want to be challenged and break through themselves and gain growth," He Wei said with a smile.
In recent years, Tianjin Juilliard has continued to provide more than 30 young performers to domestic professional orchestras, including the National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Opera House Symphony Orchestra, and Suzhou Symphony Orchestra. Troupe, Chengdu Symphony Orchestra. Among them, many people hold important positions such as deputy chief.
Why are Tianjin Juilliard students favored by major orchestras? "Our mission is to fully prepare students to enter professional orchestras through two years of high-intensity training. On the first day they join the orchestra, they can contribute as professional musicians," said Lin Jingji.
"The school's usual curriculum design and orchestra training not only train students' technical abilities, but also continuously improve their awareness of the orchestra's culture and understanding of the style of the works." He Wei said that after graduation, students have a good understanding of the orchestra. A subconscious love, which is crucial for domestic orchestras.
Simon Bolivar Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela and Sheffield College Symphony Orchestra of Rice University in the United States, in He Wei’s view, have achieved educational success through orchestra training, which made him both admired and moved, “I hope that Tianjin The Juilliard Orchestra can become the third success story, not only a legend in the industry, but also a legend, and I think this legend is taking shape.”
.