Judging by the smiles on the faces of the children, the concert was definitely fun. As Chinese Christian Church and Center Director, Harry Leong, wrote in a letter to Music Deptartment Head, Sue Hoaglund,  “the concert was a tremendous success.”
 
This is the first outreach program of this kind that the Madrigals, Madriguys, and String Ensembles have participated in and is a direct result of Sue Hoaglund’s efforts last spring to help the Chinese community heal when a young girl was sexually assaulted in her local library.  Hoaglund invited members of the Shipley community to offer monetary donations to the family of this young girl, but she also wanted to do something more. The idea to bring the ensembles to Chinatown for a concert was born. Junior Liz Ralph, a Madrigal and violinist,  commented, “The trip was something we have never done before, and it will be a new fun trip to do in the future. The kids were so enthusiastic and happy to have us.” This was especially apparent when the combined a cappella groups sang the Mandarin version of Frere Jacques, and in the finale which combined all three groups to sing the ABCs together with the young audience. Leong also noted, “The Finale was a huge success. The ABCs really got the kids going.”
 
Junior Charlie Warzel, a Madriguys member, said, “The trip to Chinatown was splendid. We had a lot of fun. The kids were very nice and we were able to sit near them and interact. I think everyone performed well and it was capped off by an excellent Chinese meal. What more could you really ask for?”

The repertoire follows:
Linus & Lucy – US Strings
Stodala Pumpa – Madriguys
May it Be – US Strings
Have a Million Nightingales - Madrigals
Trickle, trickle – Madriguys
Harry Potter – US Strings
One Fine Day  - Madrigals
Kang Ding Quing Ge – US Strings
Frere Jacques in Chinese – Madriguys/Madrigals
The ABC's  – Everyone!!!

Posted November 21, 2004