The Iowa State Singers are preparing for a performance tour in China,
May 14-24, 2006.
The group will sing concerts in Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou. In each
of the cities, the Iowa State Singers will perform also with choirs from
area Chinese universities.
"The Singers will concertize with their full program from Bach to contemporary
composers, yet part of their experience will be to fully prepare and perform
Chinese pieces that their international audiences will quickly recognize,"
said James Rodde, the group's director. "The choir's challenge will
be to learn the pronunication of the Chinese language."
Rodde feels strongly that the 52 singers going on the tour will learn more
than just music on their journey.
"This tour will help support diversity in our university community
and will help prepare our students for lifelong, productive participation
in a global society," Rodde said. "In all probability the knowledge
the students will gain from this cultural exchange will help improve the
quality of life now and in future generations."
