Having fun, partying, and singing are the highlights of the entire DC trip. The four-day Choral Festival in Washington D.C. has proven the most enjoyable experience that all 25 singers and Conductor Qiao have ever had.
Day one was a rustling day. In the morning, Stanley Thurston, an outstanding conductor, provided a choral workshop for the team. He first asked our members to sing Jasmine Flowers and A Harvest Night on Yao Mountain. Then, he explained and demonstrated a few key points on how to sing well in selected segments in the two pieces. To conclude, Mr. Thurston took the leading seat and conducted the two pieces with our members singing.
The afternoon was a three-hour intensive rehearsal back in the hotel. To clearly expose the “flaws” to our singers, Conductor Qiao applied a few powerful techniques to our singers, such as singing a solo/duet or separating someone from the group to see the after-effect. The three-hour coaching lesson has indeed “sharpened the knife at the last minutes.”
In the evening, members gathered at George Washington Memorial for a concert, performed by Indonesian Youth Choir-Cordana, Wits Choir (South Africa), and Cadence (Canada). 
Wits Choir taught the audience a few dance moves, which were later adopted as “relaxation techniques” by Conductor Qiao. Late night, the choir settled in a Chinese restaurant near the hotel. After the late dinner, alcohol drinking might have happened within “a small group” back in the hotel.
Day Two was the show day. At about 10:00 am, our members gradually “scattered” and “wondered” around on approaching to New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. Instead of entering the church for a practice, singers maneuvered the city, taking pictures at several historical landmarks. Posing, smiling, and “flashing hairdos” in front of countless cameras became leading episodes of the entire morning. After a quick lunch, the team eventually came back to the church for the final rehearsal. Within only one hour, conductor Qiao quickly swung the members back to a performance mood. The dance moves learned from South African Wits Choir were used as relaxation techniques right before the show time.
To start, four Russian singers shocked the audience with their extremely powerful opera-like voices. The second performers came from Botswana. Their strong voices clearly showed their vocal strengths and abilities to move the audience.
After intermission, it was our turn. Ladies in “wedding-gown” pinned with green flowers, accompanied by gentlemen in white shirts with black bow-ties, brought the audience to a new era: Jasmine Flowers introduced a beautiful land, full of fragrance and sweetness; Our Guests, Please Stay enlightened the audience with happiness and cheer; Half Moon Creeping to the Sky touched the audience with a young man’s passion and eagerness in pursuing a love affair in his dream; Butterfly Lovers displayed an image of two butterflies hovering vividly in a flourishing wonderland; Ocean, My Home pictured a little girl, standing off shore, recounting her fond childhood memories; A Harvest Night on Yao Mountain brought the audience to a vigorous night of celebration. In completion, Conductor Qiao directed the audience to clap and cheer with 25 singers. The 30–minute performance with six songs led the audience to a whole new world, a world full of sweetness, passion, softness, love, elegance, and happiness.
Followed our show was Grammy winner, Pacific Boychoir from California. The boys started their first song from the back of the room full people. The second song was sung with them lining up on the two sides. They moved to the stage at the third song. The lovely and talented boys, young or old, short or tall, absolutely captured the heart of everyone with their passionate and harmonious voices.
After the show, our team members with their families and friends gathered at a Chinese restaurant in Maryland for a banquet.
In the evening, twenty some singers extended their celebration in Conductor Qiao’s hotel room. It was the time when a real show “opened its curtain”.
Cramped in a small bed, ladies divided into groups when proudly taking pictures with Conductor Qiao. 
After photos taken, Conductor Qiao suggested play a game of matching cards. Whoever two, a boy and a girl, picked the same color of the two cards would perform a mini-episode as a “couple”. Within three hours, born of an Arab King, Abdulla, wrapping bathroom towels in various lengths on his head, married with two Arabian Queens; a wedding photo was taken for a couple in traditional 1950s style, holding Chairman Mao’s little red books in front of their chest. A wedding proposal 
was successfully delivered to a beautiful girl from a proud boy whose job was cleaning “manure” in a rural pig farm. A modern wedding proposal was accepted when a handsome boy kneeling down and holding his beautiful future bride’s hand gently, asking: “Would you marry me?” 交杯酒 performed by newlyweds was conducted several times among several matching couples. The best performer of the night was granted to Conductor Qiao who played a leading actress in Red Women Army, Wu Qing Hua’s ballet move, stretching one leg up to the sky. Passing midnight, the show had to cease after several “punches” heard on the wall from next door.
Day Three started with fun tours in town. We began with driving to the Old Town Alexandria. 
Then we stopped by the Chinese Embassy for photo taken
, visited Washington National Cathedral, had a quick lunch at a Cantonese restaurant, and finally ended at Strathmore Hall for the evening Gala, the Grand Finale Concert.
At 5:00pm, Strathmore Hall was packed with enthusiastic audience for a big night of spectacular. Indonesian choir opened the concert with a series of dancing, drum-playing, and singing. The vigorous dance moves with passionate singing, a reflection of their heart-trenching experiences in 2004 Tsunami, deeply touched the audience. The powerful Russian quartet, South African Wits Choir, Canadian Cadence, Pacific Boychoir, and Los Angles Children’s Choir all presented their best to the audience. The Grand Finale was completed with singing America the Beautiful, by all participating singers on the stage.
It is worth to mention that, during the four-day choral festival, Conductor Qiao not only served as an artistic director, keeping all singers in-tune, but also acted as a doorman at the entrances everywhere with our foot steps, making sure all members accounted for and followed his suit. From time to time, Conductor Qiao was evidently playing a FBI agent going on a special mission in the affluent neighborhood of Washington D.C.
After returning, on July 3rd, the DC team continued its celebration at Senlin and Wuli’s Mansion/Palace in Wellesley, MA. In addition to delicious home-made dishes, cocktails and wine tasting played a big role. Conductor Qiao asked each of the members to share their feelings about the festival. All have agreed that it was the most fun experience they have ever had for a singing event. All but one member said the singing was the best they have ever done. The one who disagreed with the majority was more likely intoxicated by multiple cups of cocktails.
It was unknown the exact time when the party ended, but the spirit of having fun seems never end for the DC team. The team leader, Zhou, Yunshen has asked the members to name a next destination to 开房。
As the only member from Connecticut in the DC team, I feel that I found a new family, a family of joy and happiness, which will accompany me forever.
by YG-R, Hartford, Connecticut, July 6, 2011
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