“How deep is your love…?” The familiar melody had barely begun when the audience softly joined in.
On August 9, OC Golden Ukulele and Accordia Ensemble took the stage at the Nixon Presidential Library for The Magpie Bridge: A Qixi Celebration in Song, blending bright ukulele strings with graceful women’s voices in songs of love, longing, and reunion.
The concert drew a full house. Smiles and emotion filled the stage as the audience hummed along and clapped to the beat—creating a joyful musical bridge across cultures and generations.
The crowd also included many non-Chinese community members. 98-year-old Hsu-Fen Wang and 92-year-old Teresa Sun, accompanied by family and friends, stayed for the entire performance and left deeply moved, praising the music as warm, heartfelt, and unforgettable.
Strings Awaken · Hearts Meet
The concert opened with a video introduction, followed by George Yen, Belinda Houng, and Kay Sill singing God Bless America. OC Golden Ukulele then brought in Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World and Can’t Help Falling in Love, joyfully launching the Qixi musical journey.
In the players’ hands, the ukuleles danced lightly, their bright chords carrying the ease of a summer afternoon while gently ushering love into the room.
From dreams beyond the rainbow to the tenderness of falling in love, the music felt like the beginning of a story—and a perfect prelude to Qixi.
Voices Rise · Hearts Know
As the strings softened, Accordia Ensemble took the stage, shifting the mood from playful to intimate.
You Are My Every Memory opened with quiet longing, followed by Jeepers Creepers, Cloudy Day, Love Is Here to Stay, and Vox, revealing the ensemble’s range across languages and styles.
Unlike a traditional choir, Accordia performs without a conductor in front. The ten singers rely on breath, listening, and years of trust.
Their voices move from tender to luminous, weaving together like invisible threads—finding one another, then becoming one.
Moon Above · Love Unfolds
By the second half, the romance of Qixi had fully settled over the hall.
OC Golden Ukulele returned with the beloved Chinese classic The Moon Represents My Heart, joined by Shaun Chen on violin and Helen Lin on piano. As the first notes floated out, the room seemed to soften.
Moonlight and longing have long carried deep meaning in Chinese culture. Here, the ukulele’s brightness, the violin’s warmth, and the piano’s tenderness blended into a familiar melody that seemed to carry each listener back to a memory of their own.
Then came Love and Love Me Dearly. East and West, subtle and direct—the language changed, but the feeling did not. Some smiled, some swayed, some quietly sang along.
For a moment, Qixi was no longer only the story of two lovers crossing the Milky Way; it became a reflection of love and memory in every heart.
Two Ensembles · One Bridge
For the finale, OC Golden Ukulele and Accordia Ensemble came together for Top of the World, ending the concert on its brightest note. In that moment, strings were no longer simply accompaniment, and voices were no longer simply harmony—the two had truly become one.
From meeting to knowing, from loving to singing together, the concert traced a gentle Qixi journey of the heart.
Smiles filled the stage, applause answered from the audience, and the legendary Magpie Bridge seemed to rise again that summer afternoon—built not of feathers, but of strings and song.
Perhaps the beauty of Qixi is not only in crossing the Milky Way to meet once a year, but in finding someone, somewhere, willing to share a melody and sing a love song beside you.
The strings may fade and the voices may fall silent, but an afternoon touched by music can keep echoing in the heart.
OC Golden Ukulele — At a Glance
Founded in September 2025 by George and Laura Yen, OC Golden Ukulele is led by Cathy Chiang. Members from diverse backgrounds share a love of ukulele, singing, and community service.
The ensemble blends ukulele, vocals, wind, percussion, and rhythm instruments, performing Chinese classics, festive songs, and nostalgic favorites with a warm, engaging style.
With no membership fees, members volunteer their time and talent to bring music, comfort, and connection to healthcare, youth, cultural, alumni, and community groups across Orange County.
Accordia Ensemble — At a Glance
Founded in 2013, Accordia Ensemble is a 10-member women’s vocal group led by Ellia Chiou. Its singers came from different choirs, united by a shared passion for refined choral music.
Under Music Director Ming-I Chen, the group continues to sharpen vocal technique, musicality, and ensemble blend, bringing depth and nuance to every song.
Unlike traditional choirs, Accordia performs without a conductor in front; conducting and accompaniment are handled within the ensemble. Their goal is simple: create beautiful harmony in music, and genuine connection through song.