Taizhou University’s “Floating Clouds” Choir, as one of the seven invited outstanding teams, delivered a high-level performance of the original Chinese female choral work “Nine Songs: Mountain Spirit” at the Academic Seminar on Contemporary Chinese Choral Composition and Zhou Guoqi Original Choral Works Concert. The event was hosted by China Choral Association and held at the Concert Hall of Nanjing University of the Arts on May 16.

Performance Scene

In recent years, the Publicity Department of the University Party Committee has placed great emphasis on campus cultural development and the integration of aesthetic education into ideological and political work. The department is committed to embedding political education within high-level artistic practice.

The “Floating Clouds” Choir’s participation in this nationally renowned academic concert in Nanjing reflects TU’s broader strategy to cultivate campus cultural brands and promote artistic excellence on a wider stage. During the preparation phase, Taizhou University Publicity Department provided continuous guidance on rehearsals, emphasizing the principles of “promoting learning through competition, enhancing teaching through performance, and conveying values through song.” The team was urged not only to master demanding professional techniques but also to explore the traditional Chinese cultural elements embedded in the original works. In doing so, the rehearsal space became a dynamic platform for nurturing patriotism and cultural confidence among teachers and students.

“Floating Clouds” Choir Shines at National Academic Concert in Nanjing

As a high-standard academic event with national influence, the concert brought together top choral experts, scholars, and ensembles from across China. The invitation to perform in Nanjing marked both a significant recognition of TU’s musical strength and a concrete achievement in implementing the Party’s educational policies. It also demonstrated its progress in building a “cultural campus” and exploring an integrated model of ideological and aesthetic education.

Under the passionate direction of Teacher Ye Gaofeng from the Music Department of the School of Art and Design, and with the accomplished accompaniment of Teacher He Ping, the “Floating Clouds” Choir students delivered an outstanding performance. They interpreted Qu Yuan’s “Nine Songs: Mountain Spirit” with pure harmonies, precise vocal control, and deep emotional resonance. Their mastery of modern choral techniques and expressive power earned high praise from industry experts, vividly showcasing the professional competence and vibrant spirit of TU students, while significantly enhancing the university’s reputation among peer institutions nationwide.

Performance Scene

Performance Scene

“Nine Songs: Mountain Spirit” draws from the rich tradition of Chinese romantic literature and carries a profound cultural heritage. Through in-depth analysis of the lyrics and music, and by tackling the work’s challenging contemporary choral vocabulary, the students experienced the poetic aesthetics of Chinese culture. Through collective breathing and resonance, they internalized the essence of traditional Chinese culture, which subtly strengthened their national pride and cultural confidence.

Performance Scene

Faced with the dual challenges of demanding repertoire and a tight rehearsal schedule, the choir members developed resilience through mutual listening and close coordination. This process also reinforced their sense of collective identity.

Conductor Ye Gaofeng remarked, “I am grateful for the coordination and strong support from the Publicity Department, which made it possible for our students to perform on such a prestigious stage. This was not only a valuable professional experience but also a profound ideological and political lesson that reached every participant.”

The choir members also expressed that the performance elevated both their spiritual outlook and professional confidence. For them, this artistic practice felt like a cultural root-seeking journey spanning thousands of years.

Group Photo as a Souvenir

This successful trip to Nanjing exemplifies the university’s integrated approach to ideological guidance and disciplinary innovation, promoting synergy between political education, professional development, and cultural enrichment.

Looking ahead, the university will continue to uphold the fundamental mission of fostering virtue through education. Under the strong leadership of the Party Committee, it will further explore the ideological and political dimensions of literary and artistic works, invigorate campus cultural brand development, and cultivate a new generation of TU students with deep cultural foundations, sound psychological character, and solid professional skills on broader stages.