![\"Choir\"](\"http:\/\/www.covchurch.org\/uploads\/5R\/LI\/5RLIUPtrFJTCNuHXEubCQw\/Choir.jpg\")
Among its selections, the choir performed \u201cHarmony,\u201d a piece Dilworth composed. \u201cI wrote it in Chinese,\u201d he says.<\/p>\nCHICAGO, IL (April 11, 2008) \u2013 Political tensions over China have dominated the news, but Rollo Dilworth hopes that recent concerts in the Asian superpower will help foster goodwill among the people of that nation and others.
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\nDilworth, assistant professor of music at North Park University, recently directed a choir of 340 students from five U.S. high schools during performances in Shanghai and Beijing. The concerts were held in the Oriental Arts Center in Shanghai and the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing.<\/p>\n
Among its selections, the choir performed \u201cHarmony,\u201d a piece Dilworth composed. \u201cI wrote it in Chinese,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Dilworth was able to accomplish the feat because he speaks Mandarin. He learned the language during four years of study at St. Louis University High School.<\/p>\n
The choir sang to the Chinese, and a Chinese choir responded in kind. The choirs combined to sing Jasmine Flower – a traditional tune known to nearly every Chinese child – in the native language.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Chinese are very gracious people and are very proud of their cultural heritage,\u201d Dilworth says. \u201cThey were very appreciative that the American choir members would learn music that represented their culture and language. They know how difficult their language is.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two performances were part of a series of concerts being held in Beijing, Shanghai and Xi\u2019an in the months leading up to the Summer Olympics. Four thousand young musicians from the United States and Canada are participating.<\/p>\n
This music festival is sponsored by Kingsway International in corporation with the Children & Young Women’s Chorus of the China National Symphony Orchestra.<\/p>\n
Dilworth says he feels honored to be chosen to direct the choir. \u201cI know there are so many others they could have chosen.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Chinese were impressed with his work. The director of the Shanghai Philharmonic has invited Dilworth to return in December 2009.<\/p>\n