D99 Orchestra at Great Lakes Confucius Music Festival

With a cast of over 500 performers, the District 99 Orchestra participated in the 2018 Great Lakes Confucius Music Festival.  The festival is a 5 day event that has more than 10 concerts, culminating in an epic combined performance at the Jay Pritzger Pavilion at Millennium Park.  The concert featured a wide range of musical styles and performers in addition to traditional Chinese dancing. 

During the course of the day, visiting Chinese musicians hosted presentations and mini-classes on Chinese music and instruments.  Each participating student had the chance to learn to play up to three different traditional Chinese instruments.  The theme of the festival this year was "Friendship Celebration," promoting the cultural, musical and artistic connections between the China and the United States, Illinois and Chicago. 

Special thanks to the parent chaperones who helped facilitate the experience during the day for the student musicians.  Special thanks also to D99 Orchestra director Jennifer Mullen for providing this transformational cultural exchange experience for the students in the District 99 Orchestra.