Confucius Festival 2013

August 2013

Creativity/Service

Due to the fact that our high school's symphonic orchestra was playing a Chinese piece, our orchestra was invited to attend the Confucius Festival at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN at the beginning of my junior year. It was a rewarding experience to learn and be able to play on some of the traditional Chinese instruments scattered throughout the school. Even our lunch was based upon Chinese culture, even if it was from a cheap Chinese restaurant across the street from the University. The festival's purpose is to promote Chinese culture within the education field and introduce students from other schools to one another and allow them to see their strengths as they play as part of a very large group. The festival gives back to the community by hosting a free concert in the University chapel. I worked among other students to learn a piece in a matter of a few hours so that we could all play it later that night. Being forced out of my comfort zone, I was placed next to stranger students and expected to play during a mass practice under the instruction of a world famous Chinese conductor. This was particularly interesting to hear about his travels and work experience as he was introduced before the concert began. I also enjoyed listening to the talents of several foreign Chinese students who danced and played their instruments as well during the festival. I learned my strengths and weaknesses as a violin player and as a sight-reader when placed in situations under pressure. I learned about the Chinese musical movement and culture immensely. Being a part of the festival for the first time, I enjoyed my time being able to experience the festival in its entirety. Because I learned how to play the two-stringed traditional Chinese violin, I expanded my skill as a violinist and took on a new challenge while developing new skills. The concert took around three hours to complete, but the festival experience lasted throughout the day.

Outcomes from this festival:

• Undertook new challenges.
• Worked collaboratively with others.
• Showed perseverance and commitment.
• Developed new skills.