With the tender melody and graceful harmonies of “Moonlight in the City,” The Irvine Chinese Chorus (ICC) presented its 37th Annual Concert on June 13 at the Salvation Army Church Auditorium in Tustin.
Led by conductor Wei-Chih Sun, the concert debuted a moving fusion of music and oil painting, with heartfelt choral voices and a piano trio creating a richly emotional musical feast.
Painted Notes Heartfelt Songs
Conductor Wei-Chih Sun said this year’s concert, themed “Painting in the Notes,” featured works by chorus member and oil painter Chenwei Iris Lyu.
Through music, each painting’s emotions and imagery came alive, inviting the audience to feel its warmth, vitality, and the creative beauty of art across genres.
The concert opened with the mixed chorus performing the Mandarin song “Moonlight in the City,” evoking memories that linger beneath the city moonlight.
“The Wishes of a Flying Kite” traced the longing to fly free while staying rooted in love, while “You Do Not Mean It” captured the unspoken truth hidden between restraint and deep affection.
Many Tongues One Glow
“Dust in the Wind” and “You Do Not Walk Alone” brought reflections on life and the power of companionship.
The female chorus performed “Lucky Clover,” evoking a mother’s love and quiet hope, followed by the Japanese “The Day of Departure,” a bright song of courage, dreams, and new beginnings.
The male vocal octet presented two Taiwanese songs, “Song in the Fading Lights” and “Song of a Fisherman,” capturing tender moments of life and the hopeful spirit of Taiwanese folk music.
The ICC Female Ensemble added classical elegance with the Italian “Per la Gloria D’adorarvi” and the Latin “Benedicamus Domino,” enriching the concert with refined harmony and multilingual depth.
Keys Color Strings Shine
This year’s concert also featured Trio Fiora, a piano, violin, and cello ensemble.
The three accomplished music educators and performers presented Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in C minor and Fauré’s “Après un Rêve,” bringing elegance, passion, and chamber music brilliance to the evening.
ICC President Chun-Chun Yu thanked the singers, families, and audience for their support.
She noted that the choir had rehearsed tirelessly, with nearly every piece memorized, achieving richer tone, sharper rhythm, and the seasoned teamwork that reflects ICC’s years of dedication and growth.
Shared Dreams Warmed Hearts
She also thanked the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center and CEO Yulan Chung for their longtime support, and warmly invited everyone to return for ICC’s 38th Annual Concert next year.
The concert closed with “Why We Sing,” expressing ICC’s heartfelt belief: they sing for love, and through song, joy and warmth continue to flow.
