On the evening of December 25th, the 2018 New Year's Concert was staged by Soochow University Symphony Orchestra at Suzhou Poly Grand Theatre, which was the third time that Soochow University Symphony Orchestra had presented a New Year’s Concert in Suzhou. The concert was conducted by Dr. Wu Hekun, a famous conductor and also the founding Dean of the School of Music of Soochow.
The concert started with Nutcracker, a ballet suite by Tchaikovsky, followed by solos of Pie Jesu from Requiem by Faure, Aria: "O Mio Babbino Caro" from Gianni Schicchi by Puccini, and I Love You, China by Zheng Qiufeng, presented by three postgraduate students of the School of Music respectively. Some other classical music like Slavonic Dance was also staged while Ms. Song Xinyu, a young lecturer and violinist of the School performed the violin concerto of Romance in F Major by Beethoven. In addition, Jasmine, a Jiangsu Folk Song and Spring Festival Overture were also presented to highlight the Chinese and local culture. The concert saw its ending in Radetzky Marsch by Johann Strauss, the Elder.
The concert had an audience from a range of social sectors such as Suzhou United Front Work Department, Suzhou Administration for Culture and Radio and TV and News and Publishing, Soochow University, Suzhou Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and Suzhou European and American Alumni.
Soochow University Symphony Orchestra was established in September of 2014 and monitored by Dr. Wu Hekun. Symphony is a core course for students majoring in orchestral music and percussion music. Since receiving the funding from the program of "Famous City, Famous University" in 2017, Soochow University Symphony Orchestra, with the guidance of the teachers and artists of the School, has been striving to brand itself with annual music events such as the New Year’s Concert and Concerto-Arias, so as to not only fulfill the teaching and learning tasks, but also bring more music to the students, teachers, and local citizens. The orchestra and their music are receiving increasing attention from various sectors of the city and also reaching to regions around.
