The above videos are provided by The Irvine Chinese Chorus
The Irvine Chinese Chorus (ICC), under the direction of Wei-Chih Sun, presented its 36th annual concert on June 7, 2025, at the Salvation Army Church Auditorium in Tustin.
The performance blended Western choral harmonies with the evocative tones of pipa, guzheng, and piano, moving a full audience.
Yulan Chung, CEO of the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, opened the program by noting ICC’s founding by Chinese school parents 36 years ago.
She highlighted the presence of an 88-year-old chorus member as a symbol of the group’s enduring spirit and praised its role in building community through music.
The concert began with Taiwanese folk songs “Moon Lute” and “A Drifter Like the Floating Cloud,” followed by Tyzen Hsiao’s “The Expatriates and Homeland Forever,” evoking deep emotion and cultural identity.
A young chamber string ensemble followed with operatic selections from “Thais”and “Lakmé,” reimagined by Jeff Manookian.
The ICC Women Ensemble then offered a luminous “Ave Maria,” their harmonies graceful and serene.
The mixed chorus returned with “We Are the Music-Makers,” “Fly Away Home,” “PACEM,” “Sweet Silent Night,” and the quartet “What Was I Made For,” showcasing emotional richness and vocal precision.
Three Taiwanese classics followed: “Green Island Serenade,” “A Scene in the Rain,” and “Taiwanese Snack Foods.” Though thematically varied, all shared lyrical warmth that resonated with the audience.
Instrumental highlights featured pipa soloist Yi-Han Chen and guzheng player Hao-Wei Cheng in “The Moonlight on the Spring River,” later joined by Wei Chih Sun on piano for “Butterfly Lovers Trio”—a striking fusion of East and West.。
A touching moment came as 88-year-old Marguerite, ICC’s oldest chorus member, attended with her daughter and granddaughter.
She shared that singing keeps her joyful and young—sentiments her family proudly echoed.
As the concert ended, Wei-Chih Sun reflected: “Though our members are aging, their voices still carry heart. This year’s theme, ‘Mélodie,’ was about sharing emotion—love, gratitude, and hope over perfection.”
He thanked all the singers, families, and audience members: “You’re the reason this stage stays warm and alive.”
The concert closed with a hopeful singalong of “Tomorrow Will Be Better” and a joyful group photo.
Paul Huang, president of the Irvine Chinese Chorus, thanked American Fei Yang, Wu Feng, Zhi Yin, OCLC, Laguna Woods Village Taiwanese Choir, Irvine Book Club, and the SoCal K-Song Club for their support.
He also specially acknowledged Norma Ouyang, founder of the Irvine Senior Harmonica Band, who attended in a wheelchair with her family.
President Wen Liang noted that several senior members were cheered on by three generations of family, and some couples sang together—proof that music brings family members closer together.
Chorus couple Ming Jiunn Lin and Jenny Lin are deeply devoted