The Confucius Institute at Brock University hosted the Concert of Oriental Charm at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School auditorium on Saturday.

Hanban, the concert, was performed by students and teachers from Shandong University Art Troupe and sponsored by Chinese Language Council International.

Brock CI was the first stop for the touring troupe, which headed to Regina and Edmonton for further performances in celebration of Confucius Institutes around the globe.

Education Consul and Director Xu Weiya from the Toronto Chinese Consulate-General, and Brock University Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President Academic, Greg Finn, attended the concert and gave welcome speeches to the Shandong Art Troupe members as well as an audience of almost 500 people.

The concert started with a happy and lively folk music tutti The Glad Tidings, followed by another two impressive pieces of tutti folk music Capriccio Confucius and Song of the Hero. The subsequent Dulcimer, Erhu, Sheng and Suona solo performances provided the audience with an exotic feast of traditional Chinese musical instruments. And the live calligraphy and painting show gave the audience a taste of the artistic conception of traditional Chinese visual art. The concert ended with a joyous and festive tutti Blooming Flowers and Full Moon.

When the performance was over, all were invited onto the stage for an interactive experience with the musicians and the traditional Chinese folk musical instruments.

The Confucius Institute at Brock University is host to many cultural events like this one each year, as well as offering invited guest speakers, language learning and art workshops. The Institute also collaborates with other local organizations on a number of special events – for example on Friday, Sept. 25, CI joins the Brock University Chinese Students and Scholars Association (BUCSSA) to recognize and celebrate the Mid-Autumn or “Moon” Festival as it is more commonly known! All are welcome to join in this special event this Friday evening in Pond Inlet at Brock University at 7:00 pm. Tickets are only $5. For more information: https://brocku.ca/confucius-institute