Cue the Applause: Faculty and Staff Come Together in Song
On Thursday, February 22, NYU Shanghai’s Faculty and Staff Choir (FaSta Choir) gave their first public performance at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. The group performed as part of the Pudong New Year Talent Show, alongside a lineup of professional and amateur musicians, including the Shanghai Philharmonic Symphony.
Founded last semester, the choir is led by Clinical Assistant Professor of Arts Gabriel Song with the assistance of Human Resources staff member Cindy Zheng. When the choir first began, they didn’t know who might show up, Zheng says, but it has proved popular – the choir has grown to over 45 members. The choir, she says, brings together colleagues from different departments, countries, and ages, uniting them in a common interest – music. “It has exceeded my expectations.”
The FaSta choir performing at Shanghai Oriental Arts Center
For faculty and staff members, FaSta presents a valuable opportunity to pursue their interest in music in a relaxed environment. Song teaches the singers breathing techniques, intonation, rhythm, and more – and he adds that leading the choir and being surrounded by their voices brings him a lot of enjoyment. “I really hear their passion,” he says. “Chorale engagement has this magic, because the only instrument we use is [the one] inside of us.”
Although most of the choir members have no prior singing experience, FaSta has flourished under Song’s guidance. Choir member and Clinical Assistant Professor of Korean Language and Culture Hye Eun Choi says she can already feel their progress. “We have a wonderful conductor,” she says, praising Song, who is volunteering to lead the choir outside of his already full course load. “He’s very encouraging and very good at teaching us, so I feel like I’m improving.”
FaSta choir leader Gabriel Song encouraging the singers before the big performance.
Aside from the vocal training, choir members say that singing together also creates a more harmonious work environment. “It’s about teamwork and collaboration,” says Facilities staff member Delia Shi, who sees the choir as a chance to be more involved in the NYU Shanghai community. Development staff member Rachel Lim says that the lack of an audition requirement makes the choir more welcoming and accessible. “Everyone helps each other, which really makes choir a fun way to get to know people,” she says. “It’s something I look forward to every week.”
The FaSta choir is a unique community-driven effort to create space for recreation on campus. Choi says pursuing a hobby alongside her colleagues has helped her feel more belonging. “Doing something meaningful together is a very fulfilling experience, while allowing me to invest time to improve myself,” she says.
Left: FaSta choir members (from left to right) James Gao, Zhou Yiping, Chelina Wang, Lin Lin mugging for the camera before the performance. Right: a FaSta choir gathering
At FaSta’s first public-facing performance, the choir performed two pieces with the accompaniment of Library staff member Ma Yining on piano: Huang Tzu’’s “Nostalgia” and a medley of Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me” and Bill Wither’s “Lean on Me.” Afterwards, some of the singers said that although they felt nervous stepping onto the stage in front of such a large audience, they felt proud of their performance. “We have a result to show others,” says Zheng, “that all our efforts paid off.” Performing on the big stage was “a lot of fun,” adds Lim. “It gave the choir something to look forward to, and it boosted our confidence.” Director of Human Resources Guo Wei, who helped to coordinate FaSta Choir’s performance at the talent show, said the concert was “an incredible and memorable experience onstage where our voices soared and filled the air with music."
Judging from the applause, members of the Pudong New Area community agreed. “It was really cool to see how the city of Shanghai welcomed NYU Shanghai as part of the event,” says Senior Global Writing and Speaking Fellow Yuechi Kelly, who was in the audience. “It was a wonderful concert.”
There will be more opportunities to hear the FaSta Choir in the coming months. Song says the choir plans to perform with the student choir at the end-of-semester concert.
Whether you’re a seasoned musician or a singer in the shower, the FaSta choir welcomes you to find community through music. Be in touch with Cindy Zheng at zz4609@nyu.edu, or keep an eye out for more information at the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester to join.
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