Mandarin Voices Choir (formerly Chopsticks Choral Society)
We are the Mandarin Voices Choir, a project-based choir aimed at promoting Chinese choral arts and championing works by Chinese and China-related composers.
About the Choir
The Choir has a unique repertoire, which includes works by Chinese composers, rarely heard in European concert halls. Through its annual concerts, the Mandarin Voices Choir aims to introduce this repertoire and sound to European audiences, and to act as a bridge between China and Europe so that deserving works in the Chinese choral repertoire can make their way into the mainstream repertoire of European choirs. The Mandarin Voices Choir is a platform for access to and the understanding of Chinese choral works. Audiences will be offered a chance to hear works that have rarely, if ever, been sung in London or Europe performed to a high standard.
As part of the concert, our Artistic Director, Nicholas Smith will also provide historical and stylistic insights into the music performed.
Testimonials
Next Event
To be advised. Next concert 2021
For photos, press releases & Ambassador's speech for 29 September 2018 concert at Cadogan Hall - see below
PERFORM at the CONCERT in 2021 & JOIN THE CHOIR
SPONSOR the CONCERT
We offer a range of sponsorship benefits to suit all budgets from £8000 to £250 - benefits include VIP reception, pre & post concert marketing both in the UK & China, advertising in the concert programme - click on the links below for full information or email Theresa on theresabooth@chopsticksclub.com
SPONSOR BENEFITS - 2018-19 (EngLISH VERSION)
SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS - 2018-19 (Chinese VERSION)
SPONSOR BENEFITS VIDEO
LATEST EVENTS
DAO & Love, Friendship & Longing Concert - 29 September 2018 - for photos & press releases, click on button below.
29 SeptemBER 2018 conCERT - DAO & Love, FRIENDSHIP & LONGING at CADOGAN HALL
Highlights of concert on Saturday 27 January 2018 - Chinese New Year concert of Choral Music using Chinese folksong melodies & infused with jazz themes
We were delighted to welcome world renowned jazz pianist, David Braid, who made this a concert to remember. David flew in from Moscow to perform, and our Artistic Director & Conductor, Nicholas Smith OBE, created an evening of uniqueness, beauty & thought provoking musical arrangements.
Venue: St James's Church, Sussex Gardens, W2 3UD.
Reviews and Testimonials
Inaugural concert at the Cadogan Hall, October 2016
The Yellow River Cantata is to Chinese choirs and audiences what Messiah is to UK choirs and audiences. Every choir in China knows this work, and everyone in China knows at least one of the tunes. This work, written by Xian Xinghai, makes extraordinarily effective use of the rhythms and cadences of Chinese folk music, which in turn spring from everyday Chinese life, to create a work that speaks directly to the Chinese, but is also universal in its appeal. This work is, above all, tuneful and emotionally accessible.
This was only the second performance of the Yellow River Cantata in London and will be a first step in establishing a tradition of performing this work in the UK. Just as every major city in the world has an annual performance of Messiah, this flagship Chinese choral work deserves an annual performance to evaluate its merits and stimulate a new generation of composers to react to it and create other Chinese choral masterpieces.
Other events
December 2016 - the choir represented China at an Advent Concert December 2016 at Piccadilly Circus on an especially erected platform built around the statue of Eros
July 2017 - Singing football chants to promote Chelsea's Summer China Tour at the Chelsea FC Stadium at Stanford Bridge
More about us
Our artistic director is Mr Nicholas Michael Smith, OBE. Mr Smith is currently the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Peking Sinfonietta and the International Festival Chorus, both based in Beijing, China. Both offer regular seasons featuring the world’s top soloists. Under Mr. Smith’s direction, the Peking Sinfonietta is now widely recognized as offering China’s most innovative programming and authentic performances, while the International Festival Chorus is acclaimed as the PRC’s best choir and the only group in mainland China working consistently to introduce the western choral-symphonic repertoire to Chinese audiences in Beijing and beyond.
Mr. Smith has with many groups worldwide, including the China Philharmonic Orchestra, the China National Film Symphony Orchestra, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, Les Percussions Claviers de Lyon, Teatro Lirico di Spoleto and the choirs of Cornell University.
Over the last 12 years, Mr. Smith has conducted and helped to bring about numerous concerts of significance to the development of western music in China, including PRC first performances of works ranging from Bach’s St John Passion to Elgar’s The Music Makers, as well as the PRC’s first ever fully staged Broadway musical Lady in the Dark which featured stars from London’s West End.
Mr. Smith holds a degree in music from Cambridge University, England and studied conducting and composition privately with Reginald Thompson. Mr. Smith holds both artistic and academic appointments.
Improve your Mandarin and learn to sing at the same time
Each session costs £10 for an hours lesson (£7 for students).
(To join the Club, click on the MEMBERS header)
For more information email: dawnwang23@yahoo.com OR see www.chenwangmusic.com