Montclair State University Symphony Orchestra Performs in Shanghai

For a music student, nothing quite surpasses the opportunity to perform on an international stage. For 20 Montclair State University Symphony Orchestra students in the John J. Cali School of Music, that opportunity came through a program with East China Normal University in Shanghai, China initiated by the Global Education Center and Montclair State University orchestra conductor Ken Lam.

The East China Normal University Orchestra previously visited Montclair State University in December 2013 for joint rehearsals and performances in New Jersey. That concert was special not only for the unique performances but for the cross-cultural collaboration afforded by the visit of the 19 Chinese students and five instructors from ECNU. “This is the first time we have ever been joined by such a large group of Chinese student musicians,” said Executive Director of International Affairs Marina Cunningham, noting at the time that ECNU has been a partner institution of Montclair State for more than a decade. “We are pleased to be able to continue our tradition of exchanging music ensembles with partner universities and conservatories.”

The return exchange took place May 23-31, 2015, again coordinated by the Global Education Center with the John J. Cali School. The 20 Montclair State University students and three accompanying Montclair State faculty members were hosted by the East China Normal University Orchestra for joint performances enjoyed by music audiences in Shanghai. Under the direction of Prof. Ken Lam, Conductor of the Montclair State University Symphony Orchestra and Chang Lin, Vice Chair of ECNU’s Music Department, they performed a program that included popular music (“A Salute to the Big Apple”), Chinese and Mongolian songs, an arrangement of Bizet’s Carmen Fantasy for flute and tenor, and other selections. Montclair State University also offered a chamber music concert with performances by students and with Dr. Robert Cart, Director of the Cali School of Music, on flute.

Dr. Cart noted the importance of this exchange, remarking that “other institutions in New Jersey have already established programs with Chinese universities.  This, however, is the only one of its kind in the state.  Such unique offerings solidify Montclair’s place in the international education community.”

The Cali School of Music has a newly established graduate-level exchange program with ECNU whereby their MFA in Music students may spend their second year at Montclair State, where they’ll receive an International Artists’ Diploma.  At the end of the three-year ECNU MFA in Music, the students who participate in this program will have received both the MFA from ECNU and the International Artists’ Diploma from Montclair State University.  This trip to ECNU was, in part, to solidify and recruit for this new initiative.

In addition to the rehearsals and performances with their Chinese peers, the Montclair students also had an opportunity to step out and explore a bit of the cosmopolitan city around them.  Many of these students have not traveled to Asia. In fact, several had never been outside of the United States.  This trip helped our students cope with the rigors of being traveling artists, while instilling knowledge and understanding of other cultures.