STORY: Juilliard415 ensemble performs in N China's Tianjin
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 12-13, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 16, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:19
LOCATION: TIANJIN, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the performances
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOSEPH W. POLISI, President Emeritus and Chief China Officer of the Juilliard School in the United States
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ROBERT MEALY, Director of Juilliard's Historical Performance Department
4. various of the city tour

STORYLINE:

After their performance in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Sunday afternoon, the 14 members of Juilliard415, the prestigious large ensemble from Juilliard's Historical Performance Department, stood in a line and bowed to the audience, who reciprocated with warm appreciation.

Established in 2009, Juilliard415 derives its name from the pitch standard (A=415) that is traditionally associated with Baroque music performances.
   
From Oct. 11 to 15, the ensemble engaged in a five-day series of performances and scholarly exchanges at the Tianjin Juilliard School. Following this, they will embark on a tour to Beijing, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Shanghai, where they will perform Baroque compositions including concertos, dances and songs, introducing Chinese audiences to this seldom-heard repertoire.
   
This marks the first visit to China by a student orchestra from the Juilliard School in New York since 2008 and is Juilliard415's inaugural China tour.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOSEPH W. POLISI, President Emeritus and Chief China Officer of the Juilliard School in the United States
"What's particularly important about this tour is that 415 will be presenting a type of music that is rarely heard in China, not just baroque music, but the fact that it's played on original instruments. So we're hoping that this will be a unique and historic series of concerts. Everything we do at Tianjin Juilliard is to reach out to the people of China. It's been a great experience to perform for the people of China. We look forward to this going on for many years to come."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ROBERT MEALY, Director of Juilliard's Historical Performance Department
"This is absolutely life-changing for our students to be here. I think this is really a dream for us that we've hoped to have happened for a long time. It's very important to make these connections between our countries."

During their visit to Tianjin, the ensemble immersed themselves in the city's vibrant cultural tapestry, taking a leisurely stroll through the Italian-style building area, indulging in local delicacies, and embarking on a nighttime cruise along the Haihe River. 

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tianjin, China.
(XHTV)