The Lee University Symphonic Band with the Sias Military Band.
The Lee University Symphonic Band has returned from a 15-day trip throughout China. The chairman of Sias International University, Shawn Chen, invited the group to share American band traditions with band and orchestra students there in China’s Henan Province.
While in China, the Lee students performed several concerts - two with the Sias International University Military Band, and with the Sias University Professional Orchestra, which included professional musicians, faculty from Sias University and Sias University Students. In addition the Symphonic band performed two stand-alone concerts. Five joint rehearsals were conducted with Sias University ensembles.
“Rehearsals and performances with the Sias Military Band were an incredible experience for both the Lee students and the Sias International students,” said Professor of Music Dr. Mark Bailey, trip sponsor and conductor of Lee’s Symphonic Band. “It was truly amazing to see two different worlds united through music.”
The Band also performed for the Sias International Women’s Conference, the Sias Homecoming Parade, and private schools in Xi’an and Beijing.
"What impacted me the most was the ability to interact with band students from a different country and culture,” said Mia Campbell, a sophomore music education major at Lee. “Though we often could not communicate verbally, every one of us shared an understanding of music and its significance. I had the opportunity to give one of the flute players from Sias my flute from high school because she couldn't afford her own. I was certainly blessed by the love and acceptance shown to us by the students at Sias University."
In addition to rehearsing and performing, Lee students took the opportunity to visit many sites in China such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and Yuyan Gardens in Shanghai, the birthplace of the first Chinese Emperor in Zhengzhou (Henan Province), the Shaolin Temple, the Moslem market in Xi’an, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China, and the Forbidden City and Silk Market in Beijing.
The Symphonic Band has performed at leading churches across America and been featured twice at the Christian Instrumentalists and Directors Association National conference and the Atlanta Instrumental Expo conference, the largest church instrumental music conference in America. In addition, they have had several appearances on television, radio, and concert tours in 11 other countries.
For more information about the Lee University Symphonic Band, contact Bailey at mbailey@leeuniversity.edu. For more information about Lee’s Global Perspectives program, visit http://leeuniversity.edu/global/.
The Lee University Symphonic Band with the Sias Military Band and a group shot at the Great Wall of China.
The Lee University Symphonic Band at the Great Wall of China.