Kelsey entering the auditorium for the English Singing Competition Finals at Chengdu Science and Technology University
Well, we are off again to the finals of the New Channel Language Schools Singing Competition with a dressed up but sniffling Kelsey. She came down with a cold yesterday but luckily she felt a little better than on Friday. Sherry our Chinese friend picked us up and took us out to the Chengu University of Science and Technology for the event. Professor Tommy Wu and his wife Tina (Tommy arranged for Kelsey's practicum at the school in Chengdu) met us at the gates. Prof.Wu would be a guest singer at the event to encourage the language students as he learned to speak English by learning the songs of the American hit parade from the 1940's.
Tommy, Tina, Sherry and Kelsey walking down the boulevard at the University of Science and Technology
Judges, as Angie and Kelsey at the Singing Competition
We enjoyed all of the fanfare and excitement of the competition although we felt the heaviness of our responsibility of our input because there was an almost $1500 first prize (10,000 Chinese Yuan) AND we don't really like speaking on a microphone in public! The audience were so loud. They shouted and cheered for their favorites, banging noisemakers and clapping along to many songs. When our favorite, the winner from last week, got up and sang, her music was so wonderful that we all jumped up and danced--we loved it. Some of the competitors were near tears with emotional excitement--so much drama. The stage lights were flashing and the bubble machine and mist machine were spinning overtime! Announcers were in tuxedos and sparkling dresses. Our special pick was the most unassuming but very incredible singer-- very much like Susan Boyle--but what a voice, even Tommy said that if you closed your eyes you would have thought that it was the original singer, not a Chinese student as her vocal talents and use of English were incredible.
Kelsey and Angie beside our Winner Choice
The whole event ended with even more drama as she, the most talented competitor, was almost rejected from the prize-winners because the majority of the judges were overruled by the one so called professional(?) judge. We were flabbergasted and greatly disappointed (Kelsey was almost crying) but at the end were atleast able to go up and congratulate our favourite and let her know that we all felt she was the best. The young fellow who did get the first prize was our definite other favorite. He was a lovely fellow with a very professional Frank Sinatra style. At the end we were introduced to a very talented vocal coach--our choice and the actual winner were both his students.
Kelsey at the Teahouse down the river from our hotel
Too excited to go straight home, Kelsey and I took Sherry to our favorite teahouse garden just down the river to the east of our hotel. Sherry loved it and said it was only a few blocks from the New Channel Language School office where the singing contest sponsor is and she is creating her lesson plans and will begin teaching in early May yet she didn't even know it was here.
Restaurant on the Bridge Chengdu, China
We headed back to our hotel, walking past the Saturday night crowded Bar Street and enjoyed this lovely view of the Bridge Restaurant-- a beautiful evening in China especially as the weather was so warm today.
What a interesting arts and beauty filled day in China. It is part of the amazing experience that being a traveler here who takes the time to be involved in the local culture can have-- so much more than the quick tour package visitor ever savours! Life here has its highs and lows and wow, is it ever rich!
What a interesting arts and beauty filled day in China. It is part of the amazing experience that being a traveler here who takes the time to be involved in the local culture can have-- so much more than the quick tour package visitor ever savours! Life here has its highs and lows and wow, is it ever rich!
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