On July 14, the historic Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing came alive with the harmonious voices of young performers from China and the United States during the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival. United by the universal language of music, these youth choirs bridged cultures and kindled lasting friendship through song.

The concert opened with a moving performance of The World Is Full of Love by the Dong Grand Song Chorus from Liping county, Guizhou province, clad in traditional ethnic attire. Their rich polyphonic voices set a heartfelt tone for the evening. Next came the One Voice Children's Choir from the United States, whose energetic rendition of Try Everything drew enthusiastic cheers. The choir gained popularity on Chinese social media for their viral performance of As Wished at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.

Demonstrating that music transcends borders, a performance of My Heart Will Go On—the iconic theme from the blockbuster movie Titanic—played on the traditional Mongolian morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), captivated the audience and sparked a spontaneous sing-along. The Utah Valley Choral Scholars followed with a bold and resonant interpretation of the Chinese folk classic Jasmine Flower, a striking example of how one melody can blossom in two cultures.

On July 14, the exchange performance of the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival is held at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing. The Mark Hubbard and The Voices from the U.S. performs the song Congratulations. [Photo/chinanews.com.cn]

During the intermission, an interactive postcard blind box activity allowed young attendees to exchange handwritten notes of goodwill. 

For the grand finale, four American choirs—Southern Methodist University Meadows Choirs, Mark Hubbard and The Voices, Brigham Young University Select Singers Choir, and Brigham Young University Women's Chorus—joined voices to perform the iconic anthem We Are the World. The audience swayed to the music, sang along, took photos, and lingered long after the final note, reluctant to let go of the evening's warmth and unity.

Lin Weifang, from the Dong Grand Song Chorus of Liping county, Guizhou province, shared that Dong Grand Song, recognized by UNESCO in 2009 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, stands out for its unaccompanied and conductor-less performance. "This event created a space for musical exchange between China and the U.S.", she said. "We hope to share the beauty of Dong Grand Song with the world." 

Ernest Brown, a member of the Pure N Heart Choir, who performed Change the World, reflected on the emotional power of music: "Music carries messages of love and humanitarian care. It calls for understanding and dialogue, and I hope it will help strengthen the lasting friendship between China and the United States".

Themed "Sing for Peace", the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival is co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Fujian Provincial People's Government, drawing together nearly 30 youth choirs and more than 1,000 young singers from both countries.