Chinese orchestra partners with students

The Forbidden City Chamber Orchestra from Beijing performed for Homewood Middle School students recently.

They played three ancient instruments, and after the performance, they answered questions and helped one student, Josh Peters, demonstrate how to play scales on a two-string instrument. The interaction was particularly relevant to eighth-grade social studies classes that are currently studying ancient China.

That night, the orchestra performed a concert at the Birmingham Museum of Art and used some instruments the middle school students let them borrow since the orchestra were not able to travel with all of theirs.

The HMS performance was arranged by Consul for Cultural Affairs Yang Song and his wife, Lily Zhang. The Birmingham International Center provides cultural activities for schools all year so students can learn about China.