Vietnamese, American youths connected through music

(VNF) - General Secretary of the Vietnam – USA Society (VUS) cum Vice Head of the Department of American affairs (the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations - VUFO) Bui Van Nghi on January 19^th received a delegation of the Juniata College Concert Choir (Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, United States) led by Dr. Russell Shelley, professor of music and choir director.

The meeting was part of the choir’s two-week visit to Vietnam from January 9^th to 20^th.

At the meeting in Hanoi.

At the reception, VUS General Secretary Bui Van Nghi briefed the delegates on VUFO's activities in people-to-people diplomacy as well as peace movements of the peoples in two countries. He also emphasised key milestones in the evolution of bilateral relations, highlighting the role of VUFO, VUS and people’s organisations in fostering the Vietnam – U.S. friendship.

He also answer to the guests’ questions regarding Vietnam – U.S. relations, postwar issues, Agent Orange/ (Dioxin) contamination, unexploded ordnance (UXO), humanitarian aid and exchange programmes between Vietnamese and U.S. people.

He expressed hope that after the visit, the younger generation of the U.S. will gain a deeper understanding of the country, people, history, culture and customs of Vietnam as well as the Vietnam-U.S. ties and contribute to the enhancement of mutual understanding, friendship and collaboration via enhancing people-to-people exchanges.

On behalf of the students delegation from JCCC, Dr. Russell Shelley extended thank to Vietnamese people, VUFO, and VUS for the warm welcome.

Masa, a member of the Concert Choir, expressed her pleasure to have the chance to visit Vietnam, as well as her impression at the achievements VUFO and VUS have made in enhancing mutual understanding between Vietnam and U.S.

Dr. Russell Shelley presents a CD of the Juniata College Concert Choir to VUS General Secretary Bui Van Nghi.

Do Bui Dai Duong, a Vietnamese student studying in the university, was one of the 10 representatives of the Concert Choir visiting the VUFO. Thanks for actively participating in extracurricular activities, including taking part in the JCCC from the freshman year, Duong has integrated well with the new environment in U.S. In 2015, he even came to perform in Costa Rica and Germany with the choir.

At the reception, Duong extended his thank for the warm-welcome reception, as well as the supports received from the VUFO, expressing his hope that more and more art troupes from universities would visit and exchange with Vietnamese students.

Agreed with Duong’s opinions, Nghi also stressed that the VUFO and its member organisations always ready to facilitate and support friendship exchanges between the two countries’ youths.

Throughout the two-week program, they have been visiting, performing and exchanging with students from various schools in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City included Dao Duy Secondary School; Bac Ha high school; Newton Bilingual School; Olympia Schools; FPT University; Hoa Sen University, etc.

Especially, in the evening of January 15^th, in HCM City, the JCCC performed with Vinschool One Central Park Choir for an impressive musical night entitled "Music Without Borders".

VUFO staff and the representatives of the choir pose for a group photo.

Composed of 41 students from the College, the auditioned members of the Concert Choir come from several academic disciplines available at Juniata. Although there is no music major or minor at Juniata, choir members’ dedication and commitment to sharing the beauty of choral music provides meaningful experiences for both singers and listeners.

As the off-campus performance choral ensemble, Concert Choir tours in the spring semester with repertoire focusing on historical sacred music spanning five centuries and several cultures. Each year, their fall semester repertoire focuses on historical secular music from madrigals to jazz.

Recent choral department tours include Germany (2003), Ireland (2003), Croatia/Slovenia (2004), Brazil (2005), Poland/ Belarus/Russia (2005), Mexico (2006), Trinidad (2007), Appalachia, USA (2008), France (2009), Brasil (2010), Hungary/Romania (2011), Ireland (2012), and Guatemala (2013), China (2014), Costa Rica (2015), Germany (2015), Hungary/Czech Republic (2016)./.

Tu Phan