Alfred University News

Alfred University’s Daisy Wu performs at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium

Daisy Wu, visiting professor of music at Alfred University, performed on guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument, at a December 29 concert at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium, New York City.


Wu performed with the Asian Cultural Symphony of USA at the “Friendship Lasts Forever Premier” Concert of the Winning Works of the Inaugural Golden Bells International Composition Contest, a competition for works featuring traditional Chinese instruments with western orchestra.

The contest called for works featuring Da Sheng Bells (bronze chime bells), an ancient Chinese ceremonial carillon. Since the time of Confucius, music in China has served as a crucial element of organization in society, bringing people into a harmonious relationship. The chime bells are an icon of Chinese ritual music. The contest’s award-winning works were announced at the end of November. The Grand Prize piece and the concert opening piece both used the guzheng part.

“I was surprised to receive this performance invitation 10 days before the concert,” said Wu, who serves as director of the Confucius Institute at Alfred University. “It’s a challenge to prepare the premiere of the contemporary orchestra pieces in a few days, I'm glad I did it, and concert worked out great”.

The winning pieces have been successfully premiered by Asian Cultural Symphony with Contest Artistic Director, Dr. Dennis Friesen-Carper and Steve Fei Fang, conductor. The concert was organized by Valparaiso University and China Institute in New York. The Asian Cultural Symphony of the USA is affiliated with the Asian Cultural Center. It is made up of nearly one hundred members, most of whom were previously trained in higher education institutions of music, including the Julliard School in New York City. 

 “It's my great pleasure to play with the Asian Cultural Symphony again at Carnegie Hall,” Wu commented, noting that she and Alfred University Orchestra students had an opportunity to perform with the Asian Cultural Symphony at New York City’s Lincoln Center last September.

“I was very honored. This is my third Carnegie Hall performance and my first time playing at the Stern Auditorium, the biggest stage of Carnegie Hall. I was very proud to be part of this concert that promotes the music culture exchange between East and West. I can’t wait to share this performance experience with my AU guzheng class students.”