I speak for every young musician of IYCA today when I say we were all simply blown away yesterday by the festive reception. At the airport, at the wall, at the hotel, at the dumpling feast, and at the kung fu demonstration. Never before have I ever seen any professional or youth orchestra receive a warmer reception than the one yesterday. I am deeply touched. We truly feel like young artists and will forever remember this warm welcome. Thank you once again, from the bottom of my heart! Xian is truly incredible and it is an honor for me to receive the key to Xian. I accept it on behalf of Irvine and all the dedicated members of IYCA.
In just two days in Xian, I have felt a sense of fantasy, of awe, and of reverence for the performers here. This is my first trip ever to China. There is an amazing energy and pride in this city which comes through in its music and dancing. There is feeling in everything people do here. I have felt a deep rooted love and nostalgia in every performance. Xian is indeed a cultural oasis, rich in its traditions, and I hope our joint concert here will allow IYCA a glimpse to its extraordinary past. I hope Xian to be deeply rewarding for the young artists and parents of Irvine.
In the past three years, IYCA’s mission has always focused on unique performance opportunities for its young artists. Where we have performed, who we have performed for, and where we will continue to perform for is testament to this. We are proud to be a youth orchestra embarking on international tours as cultural ambassadors and young artists. This trip to China, in 2008, to Xian in particular, is deeply meaningful to me because of this role. While many youth orchestras simply tour and perform, we are here on a mission of cultural exchange. Joint concerts, joint collaborations, in both Korea and especially in China, was my artistic goal. Let the young students interact with other young students, side by side. This is more than just the West meeting the East. Rather, it has been my goal to create a cultural platform, through eight concerts in China, for the young artists in IYCA to reach back to their roots and cultural heritage. Many artists in IYCA are second generation students and visit Asia with their parents usually as tourists. In 2008, they visit Asia with their instruments, playing great music, and with their open minds, they act as Irvine’s cultural ambassador. This was the catalyst when I spoke to Leonard Liu about a year ago about performing in China. It was our goal in Korea, and it is our foremost goal in China as well. Let the young artists be Irvine’s goodwill ambassadors through their music.
Xian has exceeded all my expectations and I say again that I am deeply honored and humbled by the love and warmth here. We look forwards to two exceptional concerts in Xian and many, many amazing memories! Thank you Xian, Albert Wu August 1, 2008 Xian, China During IYCA's concert at the Xian Conservatory Concert Hall