Chicago troupe gives concert before China tour

"The Rhyme of Taigu" by Chinese composer Zhou Long filled Jay Pritzker Pavilion at the Millennium Park in Chicago Sunday evening.

As a prelude to its tour in China, the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO), together with famed Blue Man Group, staged a superb "Tour to China Send-off Concert" before a packed audience, performing an array of pieces from its repertoire for the China tour.

"I fell in love with Zhou Long's 'The Rhyme of Taigu' the moment I discovered it," said CYSO Music Director Allen Tinkham. "It's only natural that we include a wonderful piece of music by a Chinese composer during our tour to China."

There will be a total of 84 students aged 14 to 18 from the orchestra going to China, the largest group ever touring abroad. CYSO will tour Beijing, Xi'an, Hangzhou and Shanghai.