The California State University, Fresno Concert Choir and Chamber Singers will perform in China March 14-23 in cultural events before the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Twenty-three Fresno State students will travel with Dr. Anna Hamre, director of Choral Activities, to Beijing and Shanghai. This is the first time the group will perform together in China; they will give three performances.

Accompanying the Fresno State group are students from three California high schools (Lemoore Union, Tracy and Yucaipa) and members from the Fresno Community Chorus.

The group’s major performance will be given in the Forbidden City Concert Hall, Xicheng District, Beijing. This concert hall has a seating capacity of 1,400 and is surrounded by the gardens of Zhongshan Park.

The Fresno group will perform songs in English as well as two songs in Chinese, Mo Li Hua (“Jasmine Flower”) and Da Hai a Gu Ziang (“The Sea, O My Home”) in an exchange concert with the China Life Finance Philharmonic Chorus.

“They sing for us, we will sing for them,” said Hamre, who will conduct the California massed-choir concert. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to sing in one of the great concert halls of the world and get to learn new music.”

Hamre is responsible for the management of the choral program at Fresno State. She also conducts the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Community Chorus. Her honors include the Fresno Arts Council Horizon Artist Award and the California State University, Fresno College of Arts and Humanities Outstanding Teacher Award.

For more information, contact the Fresno State Music Department at 559.278.2654.